Raised a pious Catholic, Gauguin was instructed under the Bishop of Orleans, Felix-Antoine-Philibert Dupanloup, who would try to inspire others with questions about the divine nature of our existence. Apparently it made an impression on Gauguin.
About a decade after living with Vincent in the Yellow House (1897), he created this painting is called Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?
