Monkey and Cottage; Little Breton Boy [recto]

"Monkey and Cottage; Little Breton Boy [recto]" by Paul Gauguin is an expressive study executed in graphite and crayon on wove paper between 1884 and 1888. This drawing, classified as a foundational work within the artist's output, reveals Gauguin's dedication to mastering technique and capturing complex subjects before their execution in paint. The media employed allow for a rapid capturing of both architectural form and human detail, characteristics essential to the artist's preparatory processes during this transitional period.

Categorized culturally as French and dating squarely within the period 1876 to 1900, the subject matter points toward the rural environments that increasingly captivated Gauguin. The inclusion of the Little Breton Boy indicates that this study was likely created during or in preparation for his significant travels and residence in Brittany, where he developed the seminal themes of Post-Impressionism and Synthetism. The focus on regional costume and modest architecture reflects the artist’s interest in simple, non-urban life, which contrasted sharply with the academic art world of Paris. The presence of the monkey alongside the cottage detail adds an element of natural observation or subtle symbolic meaning, common in Gauguin's later work.

This piece functions as a visual document of the French countryside, combining natural elements, architectural studies, and figure drawing. The work is held in the comprehensive collection of the National Gallery of Art, where it helps scholars trace the development of Gauguin’s iconic style from drawing to finished canvas. Although the original resides securely within the museum, the importance of this drawing to late 19th-century art history ensures that high-quality reproductions and prints of this crucial work frequently become accessible in the public domain for students and enthusiasts globally.