Artwork

Two Figures and a Bench; Three Studies of Men's Heads and One of a Hand [recto]

Two Figures and a Bench; Three Studies of Men's Heads and One of a Hand [recto] 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.

About this work

Overview

This 1886 drawing by Paul Gauguin combines disparate sketches on a single sheet of wove paper, executed in graphite, crayon, and pen and brown ink.

Subject & Meaning

The work features a diverse array of subjects, including two figures and a bench, three men's heads, and a hand, alongside a handwritten notation referencing 'rue S'Catherine Bord', possibly a location significant to the artist.

Technique & Style

Gauguin's use of mixed media and loose, gestural lines reflects his experimental approach to art, characteristic of Post-Impressionism and his distinct Synthetist style, which prioritized expressive and symbolic content.

History & Provenance

Created in 1886, this drawing exemplifies Gauguin's early exploration of innovative techniques that would later establish him as a pivotal figure in late 19th-century art.

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.