Man Playing Piano; Two Sheep [verso]

Man Playing Piano; Two Sheep [verso] by Paul Gauguin is a significant double-sided drawing created between 1884 and 1888. This work, executed primarily in pen and brown ink alongside graphite studies on wove paper, exemplifies the transitional nature of French draftsmanship during the final decades of the 19th century. As a key figure in the Post-Impressionist movement, Gauguin often used drawing to rapidly explore compositions, domestic scenes, and preliminary ideas that would inform his later iconic canvases. The double nature of the piece provides a valuable record of the artist's spontaneous visual thinking during a period of intense experimentation.

The recto of the sheet presents a quiet, interior scene focusing on a man seated at a piano. The use of brown ink provides sharp definition and a warm tonality characteristic of Gauguin’s early drawing style before his complete shift towards high Symbolism. The quick, decisive lines created by the pen suggest a snapshot of daily life, potentially a study of a friend or acquaintance, rendered with an observational immediacy reminiscent of the period 1876 to 1900. Gauguin utilizes graphite, likely for preliminary outlining or subtle shading, demonstrating the complexity he sought even in his preparatory studies of familiar subjects.

The reverse side, titled Two Sheep, offers a marked contrast in subject matter, depicting a simple, pastoral sketch, executed perhaps more rapidly than the main composition. This practice of using both sides of the paper underscores the economy and spontaneity essential to Gauguin’s creative process during this foundational stage of his career. While the artist is best known for his vivid Polynesian color palettes, these early French drawings provide crucial insight into the development of his formal vocabulary and his mastery of line and shadow. The drawing is classified as a vital French artwork, and it is preserved today in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. High-quality images and prints of this important work are often available through public domain initiatives, ensuring continued access to Gauguin’s diverse artistic output.