A Profile and Four Shapes; Sketch of a Man's Head [recto]

The drawing exhibits loose, uneven lines characteristic of quick, expressive work. Gauguin employs a mix of media—crayon for the figures, pen and ink for lines and text—to achieve varied textures. The overall style reflects Gauguin's transitional period towards more experimental techniques, though it does not yet fully embody his later Synthetist aesthetic.

Created in 1886, this piece predates Gauguin's most renowned Synthetist works. While specific provenance details are not provided, its creation during this year situates it within Gauguin's broader experimentation with Post-Impressionist and Symbolist tendencies.

This sketch reflects Gauguin's multidisciplinary approach (painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics) and his growing interest in abstract forms alongside representational elements, common in late 19th-century avant-garde movements.

As an early example of Gauguin's exploratory phase, the drawing contributes to the understanding of his developmental trajectory towards Synthetism. Its mixed media and compositional duality anticipate later innovations in modern art.