Who painted Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto]?

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto] was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1886.

Where can I see Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto]?

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto]?

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto]

Paul Gauguin , 1886

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto] is a graphite 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

Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan is a 1886 graphite drawing on wove paper by Paul Gauguin, featuring two disparate subjects: a church tower with a cross above a bench and a figure holding a fan with a curved handle, rendered in quick, light lines.

Subject & Meaning

The juxtaposition of a religious motif (the church tower) and a mundane, everyday object (the fan) may reflect Gauguin's exploration of symbolic contrasts, characteristic of his transitional period towards more expressive and symbolic artistic approaches.

Technique & Style

Executed in graphite without color, the drawing showcases Gauguin's evolving draftsmanship with simple, swift lines, suggesting a rapid sketch or note. The worn paper with smudges and faint marks adds to the piece's informal, possibly preparatory nature.

History & Provenance

Created in 1886, this work falls within Gauguin's Post-Impressionist period, before his full embrace of Synthetist style and Symbolism. Provenance details are not provided in the available information.

Context

This drawing can be contextualized within the broader artistic shift from Impressionism's optical realism towards the more expressive and symbolic tendencies of Post-Impressionism, in which Gauguin played a pivotal role.

Legacy

As part of Gauguin's oeuvre, the drawing contributes to the understanding of his artistic evolution, bridging Post-Impressionism and Symbolism, though its individual impact within his body of work is not specifically highlighted in the provided context.

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.