Who painted A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso]?

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso] was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1886.

Where can I see A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso]?

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso]?

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso]

Paul Gauguin , 1886

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso] is a crayon drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Breton Woman Walking; Sketch with Stairs [verso] is a 1886 crayon drawing on wove paper by Paul Gauguin, exemplifying his Post-Impressionist approach through simplified forms and emphasis on mood.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a Breton woman ascending stone steps, her dark attire merging with the shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and everyday rural life.

Technique & Style

Gauguin employed light crayon lines to achieve a subtle, fading effect, characteristic of his experimental and Synthetist style, prioritizing simplicity over detailed rendering.

History & Provenance

Created during Gauguin's time in Brittany, the sketch reflects his affinity for local subjects, capturing the region's people in understated, introspective moments.

Context

This work aligns with Gauguin's broader artistic exploration of Brittany in the 1880s, where he sought inspiration in the simplicity and authenticity of rural life.

Artist & collection

Artist

Paul Gauguin

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (; French: ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramist, and writer, whose work has been primarily associated with the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements.