Head of a Bearded Man with a Head of a Dog [recto]

The detailed study, Head of a Bearded Man with a Head of a Dog [recto] by Paul Gauguin, is an important example of the artist's draftsmanship executed in graphite on wove paper. Classified as a drawing, this preparatory piece dates from the crucial transitional period of 1884-1888, aligning with the significant artistic developments taking place in France during the period spanning 1876 to 1900.

The drawing focuses on two distinct, yet closely observed subjects rendered with technical precision. The central figure is a bearded man, whose facial structure is defined through careful contouring and shading, characteristic of figurative studies intended to inform later, more complex compositions. Adjacent to the man’s profile, or perhaps slightly overlapping, is the distinct outline and form of a dog’s head. Gauguin utilized the graphite medium to establish volume and depth, employing varied pressure to achieve a subtle tonal range across the wove paper surface.

This type of meticulous study demonstrates the foundational skill of the French artist during a time when he was transitioning away from Impressionist practices toward the expressive and symbolic styles of Post-Impressionism. While Gauguin's later fame rests on his powerful use of color in oil paintings, this drawing underscores his mastery of traditional media and anatomical observation.

The preservation of works like this is crucial for understanding the artistic evolution of the late nineteenth century master. It remains an important part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art, providing scholars and the public direct insight into the methods of a key figure in modern art. High-quality prints of such seminal drawings are often made available through museum digital archives, increasing access to this facet of Gauguin’s enduring public domain legacy.