Portret van een jongetje in Tahiti

"Portret van een jongetje in Tahiti" by Paul Gauguin is an intimate study executed using ink and pencil on paper, reflecting the artist’s characteristic rapid studies and drafting techniques during his final years. While the exact date of creation is not specified, this drawing clearly originates from Gauguin's profound engagement with the people and culture of French Polynesia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The drawing is a significant part of the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Gauguin relocated to the Pacific Islands in 1891, seeking a rejection of European conventions and attempting to capture what he viewed as a more "primitive" and genuine culture. This particular piece captures the head and shoulders of a young local boy, rendered with simple yet expressive lines. The artist utilizes the dual mediums of pencil for definition and ink, likely applied with a brush, to create subtle tonal variations, lending the portrait depth without excessive detail.

The selection of a Tahitian subject emphasizes Gauguin’s enduring commitment to documenting and often idealizing the indigenous culture of French Polynesia, a theme central to his post-Impressionist legacy. Unlike his more famous large-scale oil paintings, this drawing highlights the spontaneity and direct observation essential to his practice. The lines are swift, conveying the structure of the boy's face and expression immediately.

As a historically significant work, the Portret van een jongetje in Tahiti provides valuable insight into Gauguin's working methods outside of his celebrated canvases. Since the work is now often considered part of the public domain, high-quality prints and references are readily available, ensuring the continued study and appreciation of this crucial piece of Gauguin’s documented time in the South Pacific.