Seated Figure and a Cow; Three Studies of a Child's Head

Seated Figure and a Cow; Three Studies of a Child's Head by Paul Gauguin, executed between 1884 and 1888, is a crucial example of the artist's working method. The drawing is rendered in graphite and pen and brown ink, utilizing the unconventional support of end papers from a sketchbook cover. This piece belongs to the French artistic tradition of the late 19th century, falling within the significant period of 1876 to 1900, when Gauguin was actively transitioning away from Impressionism toward Symbolism.

The sheet functions as a collection of disparate visual notes, reflecting the experimental and practical nature of Gauguin’s sketchbooks. One major study captures a rustic scene featuring a seated figure alongside a cow, likely documentation of rural subject matter observed during his time spent outside of Paris. Elsewhere on the drawing, Gauguin meticulously examined the facial contours of youth, presenting three distinct studies of a child’s head, offering varied perspectives on portraiture.

The technique itself underscores the exploratory purpose of the work. Gauguin used graphite to quickly establish initial forms and volumes, which he then accented and refined using the defining linearity of pen and brown ink. The use of found support, such as the end papers of a sketchbook cover, emphasizes the private, functional purpose of the drawing, intended as quick reference material rather than a finished exhibition piece. These mixed-subject studies illustrate Gauguin’s relentless practice and his attention to both everyday figures and animal subjects during a critical juncture in his career. The drawing is housed in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. As an important drawing from this Post-Impressionist period, high-resolution prints are often made available for educational purposes, reflecting the growing accessibility of works approaching the public domain.