Who painted Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso]?

Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso] was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1886.

Where can I see Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso]?

Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso]?

Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [verso]

Paul Gauguin , 1886

Soldiers; Four Soldiers and a Seated Figure [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

Created in 1886, this drawing by Paul Gauguin is executed in crayon on wove paper. It presents a compact composition that includes four upright soldiers and a figure seated beside them. The work belongs to Gauguin’s early period, before his extensive travels to the South Pacific.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures a small military group, suggesting a moment of pause or camaraderie among the soldiers. The seated figure, whose role is not specified, may serve as a contrast to the standing men, hinting at a hierarchical or narrative relationship within the group.

Technique & Style

Gauguin employed crayon, a medium that allows for bold, gestural marks and a limited palette. The drawing reflects his interest in simplifying forms and emphasizing flat areas of color, traits that would later develop into his Synthetist approach.

History & Provenance

The piece dates from the year Gauguin returned to Paris after his first Tahiti trip, a time when he was experimenting with drawing as a means of recording ideas for larger works. Its later ownership history is not documented in the provided information.

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.