Is strickland in The Moon and Sixpence a real person?

Strickland in The Moon and Sixpence has a real prototype.

Strickland, the protagonist in The Moon and Sixpence, actually has a corresponding prototype in reality. He is Gauguin, a French post-impressionist painter.

Gauguin also worked as a stockbroker when he was young. He and Van Gogh also had the experience of writing in the same room. However, due to different creative ideas, the two eventually parted ways.

After that, Gauguin's experience was very similar to Strickland in The Moon and Sixpence. In fact, Gauguin once lived with a Javanese woman. The only difference is that this Javanese woman didn't give birth to Gauguin's child.

Gauguin's experience is even more tragic than that of Peter Rickland. He wanted to escape from modern civilization, so he later chose to live on an island in the Pacific Ocean. Gauguin tried to commit suicide several times after being tortured by poverty and disease in his later years, and finally died of the disease.

Strickland's Experience in The Moon and Sixpence

Strickland in The Moon and Sixpence is a freak. He used to be a stockbroker in London, with a stable and decent job, a happy family and frequent dealings with people in the upper class. I wonder how many people have dreamed of such a life.

But even though sixpence was everywhere, he looked up and saw the moon. Then, in pursuit of the moon in her heart, Skorik Rand gave up everything she owned, quit her glamorous job, abandoned her beautiful wife and embarked on the road of seeking art alone.

He kept wandering and finally came to Tahiti and married an indigenous girl, Aita. At this time, he seems very satisfied. He has an aboriginal wife. They live in an isolated place, where he paints every day.

Unfortunately, he soon became infected with leprosy, and a year before his death, he went blind. Aita took care of him until he finished the huge mural and his body festered and died. According to his last words, his wife burned down the house full of murals, leaving not even a piece of wood.