Artwork
Head of a Man with a Study of His Back; Various Sketches with a Peasant Woman and a Goose [recto]
![Head of a Man with a Study of His Back; Various Sketches with a Peasant Woman and a Goose [recto], by Paul Gauguin, graphite, 1886](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--head-of-a-man-with-a-study-of-his-back-various-sketches-with--2fa4d0cd45c52509-w1024.webp)
Head of a Man with a Study of His Back; Various Sketches with a Peasant Woman and a Goose [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
The painting is called Head of a Man with a Study of His Back; Various Sketches with a Peasant Woman and a Goose.
It was created by Gauguin between 1884 and 1888. This was a time when Gauguin was exploring different styles, including Impressionism and Realism.
Check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington to learn more about this piece.
Overview
This drawing, created by Paul Gauguin between 1884 and 1888, combines multiple sketches on a single sheet of wove paper, using graphite and crayon.
Subject & Meaning
The work features a detailed study of a man's head and back, alongside looser sketches of a peasant woman and a goose, reflecting Gauguin's interest in figurative studies.
Technique & Style
Gauguin's experimental approach is evident in the varied techniques and styles employed in the drawing, characteristic of his exploration of different artistic influences during this period.
History & Provenance
The drawing dates to a time when Gauguin was developing his unique style, navigating influences from Impressionism, Realism, and other artistic movements.
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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Two Figures and a Bench; Three Studies of Men's Heads and One of a Hand [recto]![A Grazing Cow; Head of a Woman with Her Hand on Her Cheek, and Head of a Man with His Hand on His Ear [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--a-grazing-cow-head-of-a-woman-with-her-hand-on-her-cheek-and--634600a51135ea0b-w320.webp)
A Grazing Cow; Head of a Woman with Her Hand on Her Cheek, and Head of a Man with His Hand on His Ear [verso]![Five Studies of Heads; A Boy in Profile with Studies of Hands and Feet [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--five-studies-of-heads-a-boy-in-profile-with-studies-of-hands--71c9c87fde7c63ab-w320.webp)
Five Studies of Heads; A Boy in Profile with Studies of Hands and Feet [verso]![Four Heads and Two Figures [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--four-heads-and-two-figures-verso--c2dab012b6be4f36-w320.webp)
Four Heads and Two Figures [verso]![Eye and Part of Face; A Breton Woman and Two Men [recto], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--eye-and-part-of-face-a-breton-woman-and-two-men-recto--81c9125f35b9b9e6-w320.webp)
Eye and Part of Face; A Breton Woman and Two Men [recto]![Crouching Monkey and Man's Head; Bones and Muscles [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--crouching-monkey-and-man-s-head-bones-and-muscles-verso--6ce66c8fb6bba7c2-w320.webp)
Crouching Monkey and Man's Head; Bones and Muscles [verso]![Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--trees-sketch-of-breton-boy-verso--ffac7faa10ac7e52-w320.webp)
Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso]![A Caricature and Five Forms; A Man in Profile, a Winged Creature and a Boy [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--a-caricature-and-five-forms-a-man-in-profile-a-winged-creatu--ba33d39de90d54d7-w320.webp)
A Caricature and Five Forms; A Man in Profile, a Winged Creature and a Boy [verso]![Studies of Jugs and Vases; A Man with Moustache and a Boy with a Hat [recto], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--studies-of-jugs-and-vases-a-man-with-moustache-and-a-boy-wit--f45745e972a40252-w320.webp)
Studies of Jugs and Vases; A Man with Moustache and a Boy with a Hat [recto]![Three Studies of Men's Heads, One with Spectacles; Dogs, Children, and Two Bearded Men in Profile [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--three-studies-of-men-s-heads-one-with-spectacles-dogs-childr--5397d62ca5c9a48b-w320.webp)
Three Studies of Men's Heads, One with Spectacles; Dogs, Children, and Two Bearded Men in Profile [verso]![Sheet of Studies [recto and verso], by John Flaxman](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/john-flaxman--sheet-of-studies-recto-and-verso--acf1b2004c9fc50f-w320.webp)
Sheet of Studies [recto and verso]![Two Breton Figures and Studies of Two Geese; Man Wearing Hat [verso], by Paul Gauguin](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/paul-gauguin--two-breton-figures-and-studies-of-two-geese-man-wearing-hat--f7cd3e5e03e12434-w320.webp)
Two Breton Figures and Studies of Two Geese; Man Wearing Hat [verso]