"Neige" (Snow); Itinerary [recto]

"Neige" (Snow); Itinerary [recto] by Paul Gauguin is an intimate example of the artist's working process, executed between 1884 and 1888. Classified by the museum as a drawing, this piece is rendered primarily using graphite on wove paper and functions specifically as a page of notes. The dual title, referencing both meteorological observation (Neige) and logistical planning (Itinerary), suggests the practical and intellectual demands placed upon Gauguin during a turbulent but pivotal era of his career.

Created during the highly productive period spanning 1876 to 1900, this drawing reflects the evolving aesthetic and financial concerns of French artists at the close of the nineteenth century. While Gauguin is primarily known for his vibrant Post-Impressionist paintings, he frequently relied on simple, monochrome media like graphite for developing concepts, mapping out personal logistics, or quickly capturing fleeting visual observations. The notes and sketches evident on this sheet emphasize its technical simplicity and directness, providing a valuable counterpoint to the more elaborate compositions that would soon define his output.

The chronological range of 1884-1888 marks Gauguin’s crucial transitions between domestic stability and adventurous travel, including residences in Rouen, Copenhagen, and Pont-Aven, preceding his first major journeys outside of Europe. This French cultural document helps scholars track the movements and preparatory thoughts that underpinned his rapidly changing artistic trajectory toward Symbolism. The subject matter suggests a grounding in the European landscape even as his stylistic interests began looking eastward and southward.

Currently residing in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., this piece is available for ongoing scholarly study. As documentation of a master’s methodology, material related to the work is widely referenced. Due to its historical significance and age, high-quality reference prints of this notable work, now largely considered part of the public domain ecosystem, are utilized by curators and researchers around the world.