A Pig; Breton Peasant Kneeling [verso]

A Pig; Breton Peasant Kneeling [verso] by Paul Gauguin, executed between 1884 and 1888, offers a dual insight into the artist’s early explorations of rural life and animal studies. Classified as a drawing, this intimate work uses crayon and graphite applied directly onto wove paper, showcasing the technical experimentation and evolving expressive line that characterized the artist’s career during the late nineteenth century.

This piece is notable for documenting two separate studies, typical of a busy working artist who maximized the use of materials. While the title suggests the primary subjects are a farm animal and a kneeling Breton peasant, the technical execution emphasizes quick observation. Gauguin primarily employed graphite for structural definition and fine detail, likely supplemented by crayon to introduce subtle shading or volumetric mass. The focus on scenes of daily activity reflects his increasing engagement with subject matter derived from traditional French peasant culture during the crucial transition years spanning 1876 to 1900, particularly his time spent in Brittany.

The sketches align with Gauguin’s burgeoning interest in non-urban, primitivist motifs before his definitive departures to the South Pacific. These preparatory studies showcase the essential draftsmanship underpinning the master’s later, highly stylized compositions. As a fundamental component of the artist’s graphic output, the drawing provides researchers and enthusiasts with invaluable insight into the process of the great French master. This significant work resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. High-resolution prints of many works from this prolific period are often made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring broad accessibility to Gauguin’s revolutionary art.