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Head of a Bearded Man with a Head of a Dog [recto]

Paul Gauguin

1886

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Head of a Bearded Man with a Head of a Dog [recto] 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 quick sketch shows a bearded man resting his chin on his hand. Below, a small dog looks up with one paw raised. The lines are loose and fast, like a doodle—no details, just shapes and shadows. The artist used plain graphite on paper, making it look almost like a sketchbook page. The dog’s head is tiny but clear, while the man’s face stays simple. Next, check out Realism to see how artists focused on everyday life like this.

About the artist

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.

See the richer artist page