Address List; Manuscript Page [recto]

The intimate manuscript page, Address List; Manuscript Page [recto], was created by Paul Gauguin sometime between 1884 and 1888. This drawing, classified as a preparatory or administrative work, provides a unique glimpse into the artist’s working process and personal network during a crucial transitional phase of his career. Executed on a simple page of notes, the medium is characterized by a combination of pen and brown ink, crayon, and graphite on wove paper. This pragmatic, mixed-media approach suggests the drawing served primarily as a functional document rather than a formal study, capturing the essence of the artist’s day-to-day life.

The creation of this document falls squarely within the critical Post-Impressionist period, spanning 1876 to 1900. During these years, French art underwent profound shifts as Gauguin transitioned from a successful businessman into one of the most radical figures in modern art. The mundane content of the address list and accompanying notes contrasts sharply with the bold artistic philosophy Gauguin would soon embrace, emphasizing the grounded reality of his struggle during the mid-1880s as he sought financial stability and artistic direction.

The blend of drawing materials-ink, crayon, and graphite-highlights Gauguin’s willingness to utilize whatever tools were at hand to record information. Although not a finished sketch intended for exhibition, the work represents a vital artifact from his early professional career. This piece is part of a larger body of documentary material that informs our scholarly understanding of Gauguin’s practice. As part of the prestigious National Gallery of Art collection, this drawing, along with related studies and available prints from the period, helps catalog the development of this major figure in French art. The focus on functional documents, such as Address List; Manuscript Page [recto], often ensures they are made accessible through the public domain for research purposes.