Who painted Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso]?

Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso] was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1886.

Where can I see Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso]?

Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso]?

Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso] is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [verso]

Paul Gauguin , 1886

Trees; Sketch of Breton Boy [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. Created in 1886, this work consists of two crayon drawings on a single sheet of wove paper, placed on opposite sides of the sheet.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1886, this work consists of two crayon drawings on a single sheet of wove paper, placed on opposite sides of the sheet. The left image records a solitary tree with a sturdy trunk and upward‑reaching branches; the right image captures a young Breton boy wearing a hat and collared shirt. Both figures are rendered with direct, unadorned lines, emphasizing form over detail.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a natural element with a human figure, suggesting a quiet observation of everyday life in the Breton countryside. The tree, rendered in bold strokes, conveys a sense of stability, while the boy’s simple posture and attire reflect the artist’s interest in regional folk culture and the modest realities of rural existence.

Technique & Style

The overall handling is spare, with strong contours and minimal shading, characteristic of his early move toward expressive simplification.

Gauguin employed crayon on wove paper, a medium that yields a slightly grainy surface and allows for swift, gestural marks. The drawings were produced as a counterproof, a process that transfers the original line work onto a second sheet, creating a faint, reversed image that adds subtle depth. The overall handling is spare, with strong contours and minimal shading, characteristic of his early move toward expressive simplification.

Context

At the time of its creation Gauguin was transitioning from Impressionist naturalism toward the more symbolically charged language of Post‑Impressionism. His stays in Brittany during the mid‑1880s exposed him to local customs and landscapes, which he began to record in sketches before developing larger, more stylized paintings. This drawing illustrates the formative stage of his evolving visual vocabulary.

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.