Head of a Cow [recto]

The drawing Head of a Cow [recto] by Paul Gauguin is a concentrated study rendered primarily in graphite on wove paper. Created during a period of professional transition for the artist, circa 1884-1888, this classification of Drawing falls within Gauguin’s early years, preceding his decisive move toward the Symbolist and primitivist styles that defined his later career.

This preparatory piece demonstrates Gauguin’s foundational skill in observational draftsmanship. The graphite medium is employed with precision, utilizing subtle shifts in pressure to define the texture of the animal’s hide and the anatomical structure of the head. The study is highly focused, isolating the subject and minimizing background details, suggesting that the primary purpose was to practice form, light, and mass rather than developing a full narrative composition. The meticulous quality of the line work and shading ensures structural integrity, even in this quick study.

As a significant work from the French cultural period spanning 1876 to 1900, this drawing reflects the continuing academic interest in studying natural forms, even as Gauguin and his contemporaries were pushing the boundaries of color and expressive painting. Though he became internationally renowned for his vivid Post-Impressionist prints and canvases, his surviving graphic works, such as this study, are crucial for understanding the technical proficiency that underpinned his radical stylistic departures. The work resides within the distinguished collection of the National Gallery of Art, providing invaluable documentation of Gauguin’s working method and ensuring that reference prints remain accessible for scholarly review.