Bust of a Nude Woman and Three-Quarter Figure of a Man with a White Cap in Profile, Third Small Figure at Far Right, headpiece for Le sourire

Bust of a Nude Woman and Three-Quarter Figure of a Man with a White Cap in Profile, Third Small Figure at Far Right, headpiece for Le sourire by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903 is a powerful example of the artist's late graphic output, executed between 1899 and 1900. This highly expressive print, created using the wood-block technique, utilizes dense black ink contrasted sharply against cream wove paper, lending the composition an intense, almost stark clarity. The work belongs to the classification of prints and reflects Gauguin’s enduring interest in utilizing woodcuts to explore symbolic and narrative themes.

The composition centers on the dramatic juxtaposition of three figures. Prominently positioned is the nude bust of a woman, rendered with the stylized contours typical of Gauguin’s Post-Impressionist aesthetic. To her right, a man is depicted in a three-quarter profile, distinguished by his pronounced white cap. A third, smaller figure is visible far right. The deliberate roughness and carved lines inherent to the medium emphasize spiritual intensity over naturalistic representation, a hallmark of Gauguin’s mature style.

This specific woodcut was created to serve as a headpiece for Le sourire (The Smile), the satirical journal Gauguin edited and produced while living in Tahiti. Though created in the South Pacific, the work is strongly rooted in the French artistic movement he spearheaded. The legacy of Gauguin's influential prints continues to inspire contemporary artists, and this rare impression is preserved within the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. While this unique museum piece is maintained by the institution, many examples of Gauguin’s extensive body of work have entered the public domain, ensuring widespread accessibility for scholarly research and appreciation of his printmaking mastery.