Artwork

Studies of Jugs and Vases; A Man with Moustache and a Boy with a Hat [recto]

Studies of Jugs and Vases; A Man with Moustache and a Boy with a Hat [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

Created in 1886, this drawing by Paul Gauguin combines graphite and crayon on a sheet of wove paper. It presents a series of studies that include several ceramic vessels and two figure sketches—a moustachioed man and a boy wearing a hat. The work reflects Gauguin’s interest in exploring line and form during his early post‑impressionist period.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes still‑life studies of jugs and vases with quick figure sketches, suggesting a preparatory exercise for a larger composition. The male figure, rendered with a prominent moustache, and the child, distinguished by a hat, are rendered in a straightforward, observational manner, emphasizing gesture and silhouette over narrative detail.

Technique & Style

Gauguin employed a restrained palette of graphite and crayon, allowing him to model volume through line work and subtle shading. The crayon adds a soft tonal quality that complements the sharper graphite contours, creating a sense of depth while maintaining the immediacy typical of study drawings from this era.

History & Provenance

The piece belongs to Gauguin’s early output before his extensive travels to Tahiti and the South Pacific. It remains a testament to his experimental phase within the post‑impressionist and Symbolist currents of the 1880s. The drawing is currently held in a private collection, having passed through several European dealers since its creation.

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.