Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto]

The work titled Church Tower; A Sketch of a Fan [recto] by Paul Gauguin is a significant example of the artist’s output between 1884 and 1888, a crucial transitional phase when he began to solidify his unique aesthetic approach. Executed in graphite on wove paper, this drawing exemplifies the versatile nature of Gauguin’s technical mastery before his eventual departure for Tahiti. Drawings of this nature served not only as preparatory studies but also as records of travel and observation during a time of great flux in his personal and professional life.

The composition on the recto of the sheet features two distinct and seemingly unrelated subjects. The titular church tower is rendered with structural clarity, its architecture detailed enough to suggest a specific location in the French countryside or a provincial town, reflecting the artist's focus on observable reality during the mid-1880s. Juxtaposed with this architectural study is the delicate, curvilinear sketch of a fan, which demonstrates Gauguin's enduring interest in decorative arts and Japanese Japonisme, elements that would heavily influence his mature Symbolist style.

This piece, classified simply as a drawing, offers valuable insight into the working methods of an artist operating within the volatile artistic landscape of the 1876 to 1900 period. Gauguin’s exploration of line and form here underscores his move toward simplification and synthesis, moving beyond the fragmented colors of Impressionism. The drawing is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art. While the original drawing is preserved, high-quality prints derived from works like this one are increasingly made available to the wider audience through initiatives placing certain foundational drawings in the public domain, allowing for global scholarly access and appreciation.