保罗·高更于1891年来到塔希提，从此与塔希提结下不解之缘，开始了在此地长达十余年的“野人生活”。高更留下的关于他在塔希提生活的文字作品成为我们透视19世纪后期塔希提社会变迁的重要史料。塔希提有其独特的政治管理体制、宗教信仰与文化传统，法国殖民者的到来对塔希提的政治、宗教文化和经济贸易等方面产生了影响。高更根据塔希提原有的宗教信仰、文化传统创作了一系列具有艺术气息和人文气息的作品。对西方在塔希提的殖民，他秉持批判的态度。
Paul Gauguin came to Tahiti in 1891. Since then，he has forged an indissoluble bond with Tahiti and began his ten-year of “savage life” here. The literary works left by Gauguin about his life in Tahiti become important historical materials for insight into the historical and social changes in Tahiti in the late 19th century. Tahiti has its own unique political management system，religious beliefs and cultural traditions. The arrival of French colonists has also had an impact on Tahiti’s politics，religious culture，economy and trade and other aspects. Gauguin created a series of works with artistic and humanistic atmosphere according to the original religious beliefs and cultural traditions of Tahiti. And he holds a critical attitude towards the colonization of the West in Tahiti.
