La vierge et l'enfant (The Virgin and Child)
1895
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1895
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman holding a small child, both standing in a simple, dark space. The woman’s arms are crossed, and her face is calm but serious. Behind them, two small, blurry faces peek from the top corners, like shadows watching. The drawing uses rough, sketchy lines—no smooth shading or detail. It feels more like a quick study than a finished work. Gauguin often played with simple shapes and bold contrasts. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create mood in art.
