A Head of Man with Hat, Seen from Behind; A Standing Woman [recto]

A Head of Man with Hat, Seen from Behind; A Standing Woman [recto] by Paul Gauguin is a significant preparatory work created between 1884 and 1888. This dynamic drawing captures two distinct figural studies on a single sheet of wove paper. The primary focus is the robust, deeply characterized head of a man, observed closely from the rear, utilizing heavy graphite and ink outlines typical of the artist's evolving style. A secondary study of a standing woman occupies the remaining space, providing insight into Gauguin's exploratory methods as he compiled motifs for future, more formalized paintings.

The work is classified as a Drawing, meticulously executed using a combination of crayon, graphite, and pen and brown ink. This layered approach reveals Gauguin’s dedication to mastering line and volume, demonstrating a crucial step away from the purely optical concerns of Impressionism toward a more synthetic and symbolic aesthetic. The period spanning 1876 to 1900 marks the critical transition within French art where Gauguin emerged as a foundational leader of Post-Impressionism, rapidly evolving from an amateur painter to a highly influential professional seeking innovative formal solutions.

This French masterwork provides vital insight into Gauguin’s working methodology during his time in Brittany and prior to his seminal trips to the South Pacific. The intensity of the drawing, particularly in the male study, serves as evidence of his constant pursuit of structural integrity in his figures, even in preliminary sketches. Preserved within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art, this drawing is widely studied by scholars interested in the genesis of his iconic forms. High-quality prints of this essential preparatory work are often made available through museum and public domain archives, ensuring broad access to the foundational studies of this transformative artist.