Breton Boy in a Landscape; Study of an Arm [verso]

The drawing Breton Boy in a Landscape; Study of an Arm [verso] by Paul Gauguin, created between 1884 and 1888, offers crucial insight into the artist's foundational work during his critical transition away from Impressionism toward Symbolism. This French drawing is executed on wove paper using both pen and brown ink and graphite, demonstrating Gauguin's exploratory and economical approach to draftsmanship. The choice of dual media allows for defined, structural lines contrasted with softer graphite shading, a technique often employed in preparatory studies from this era.

The primary composition on the recto depicts a young Breton subject set within a rural landscape. This theme of localized, traditional culture was central to Gauguin’s artistic agenda following his move to Brittany, where he sought subject matter less corrupted by modern urban life. The period spanning 1876 to 1900 marks the height of Post-Impressionist experimentation, where artists like Gauguin sought meaning, emotion, and spirituality beyond simple visual observation. The Breton Boy study likely served as a preliminary concept for a later painting or for a series of prints exploring the region’s inhabitants.

The verso side of the sheet, titled Study of an Arm, illustrates Gauguin’s methodical practice of maximizing his materials. This detailed investigation of human anatomy focuses on volume and muscular tension, providing a counterpoint to the broader compositional focus on the front. As an important French drawing from the late nineteenth century, the work is currently housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its significance and age, the National Gallery of Art often makes high-resolution images of such historic artworks available, ensuring that scholars and the public can access this drawing through resources like the public domain.