Artwork
Five Studies of Heads; A Boy in Profile with Studies of Hands and Feet [verso]
![Five Studies of Heads; A Boy in Profile with Studies of Hands and Feet [verso], by Paul Gauguin, ink, 1886](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--five-studies-of-heads-a-boy-in-profile-with-studies-of-hands--71c9c87fde7c63ab-w1024.webp)
Five Studies of Heads; A Boy in Profile with Studies of Hands and Feet [verso] is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. This drawing on wove paper combines pen and brown ink with graphite.
About this work
Overview
This drawing on wove paper combines pen and brown ink with graphite. Created by Paul Gauguin in 1886, it features multiple sketches on a single sheet.
Subject & Meaning
The sheet contains five head studies, as well as separate renderings of hands and feet, capturing a range of facial orientations and bodily extremities. These sketches suggest a focus on capturing essential forms through preparatory observation.
Technique & Style
Gauguin's use of brown ink and graphite on light paper results in loose, expressive sketches characterized by simple lines and subtle shading. The artist's approach to form and detail is evident in the varying degrees of rendering across the different studies.
History & Provenance
Created in 1886, this drawing is a product of Gauguin's work within the Post-Impressionist and Symbolist movements, reflecting his experimental approach to art.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
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Three Studies of Men's Heads, One with Spectacles; Dogs, Children, and Two Bearded Men in Profile [verso]