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Four Studies of Breton Women; Shapes and Vases [verso]

Paul Gauguin

1886

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Four Studies of Breton Women; Shapes and Vases [verso] is a 1886 graphite 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 sketchbook page shows quick, loose drawings in pencil and crayon. On the left, there are three rough portraits of women’s heads and shoulders, with simple lines for hair and clothing. The right side has odd shapes—vases, a face with two lobes, and a few abstract forms labeled in French. The drawings look like fast studies, almost like doodles. The artist scribbled notes like *"tête avec 2 lobes"* (head with two lobes) next to the strange face shape. Next, check out Impressionism to see how this sketch style fits into that movement.