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Five Sheep; Four Head Studies [verso]

Paul Gauguin

1886

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Five Sheep; Four Head Studies [verso] is a 1886 ink by Paul Gauguin, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Paul Gauguin
When & what style?: 1886 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image presents two sketches on a single sheet of paper. The left sketch features five sheep, each depicted in a unique pose, with the top two facing right and the bottom three facing left. The right sketch showcases four head studies, with three of the heads turned to the right and one facing left. The sketches are rendered in brown ink and graphite on wove paper, showcasing the artist's skillful use of line and texture. The simplicity of the sketches belies the complexity of the emotions and ideas they convey. For a deeper understanding of the artistic techniques employed in this piece, consider exploring the concept of cross-hatching.