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Man Playing Piano; Two Sheep [verso]

Paul Gauguin

1886

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Man Playing Piano; Two Sheep [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 sketch shows two quick, rough drawings on light paper. On the left, a person sits at a piano, their hands on the keys, body turned slightly. The lines are loose, almost like a fast doodle. On the right, two sheep stand side by side, their shapes simple and blocky. The drawings look like they were made in a hurry—maybe just practice or notes for bigger works. The piano player’s posture is relaxed, while the sheep are stiff, almost like they’re standing still. If you like these sketches, check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shading with lines.

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