Who painted Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso)?

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso) was painted by Paul Gauguin in 1874.

Where can I see Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso)?

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso)?

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso)

Paul Gauguin , 1874

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso) is a dual-sided drawing created by Paul Gauguin circa 1874, showcasing the artist's early explorations in his career.

Subject & Meaning

The recto presents a serene domestic scene of a woman cradling a child, contrasting with the verso's more subdued profile bust of a man. These subjects reflect everyday life and portrait studies, characteristic of Gauguin's formative period.

Technique & Style

Executed in light, possibly fleeting pencil or charcoal strokes, the drawing appears unfinished, suggesting a rapid study. The worn, brown-spotted paper and faint lines underscore its preliminary nature, aligning with Gauguin's practice of quick sketches to capture ideas.

History & Provenance

Created around 1874, this work precedes Gauguin's later, more revolutionary stylistic developments in Post-Impressionism and Symbolism. Its provenance is not detailed here, but it is currently housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Context

This piece contextualizes Gauguin's early artistic development, before his experimentation with Synthetist styles and diverse mediums like painting, sculpture, and ceramics.

Legacy

While not a polished work, it contributes to the understanding of Gauguin's creative process and early influences, offering insight into his growth as an artist.

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.