Seated Nude Seen from Above

"Seated Nude Seen from Above" is a compelling drawing by Paul Gauguin, executed between 1888 and 1889. This striking work, classified as a drawing, utilizes vibrant pastel applied dynamically to yellow paper, a material choice that enhances the warmth and luminosity of the subject while pushing against academic convention. Created during the pivotal artistic period spanning 1876 to 1900, this piece reveals Gauguin’s developing interest in synthesizing form and color, marking his definitive move away from Impressionism toward the flattening, symbolic language of Post-Impressionism.

The work depicts a seated female figure viewed from an unusual, high vantage point, lending the composition a sense of immediacy and intimacy. Gauguin, a leading figure in the French avant-garde, frequently revisited the nude form as a vehicle for formal experimentation, particularly concerning line and non-naturalistic color application. This rendering showcases his evolving technique, where the raw, textural quality of the pastel application defines the contours of the body and creates a rich interplay between the figure and the colored ground. While preparatory studies and drawings often demonstrate an artist’s private process, this finished drawing stands as an important example of Gauguin’s vigorous draughtsmanship before his move toward the South Seas.

The period 1888-1889 was critical for Gauguin’s career, marked by his temporary, tumultuous collaboration with Vincent van Gogh in Arles and his subsequent rejection of Parisian refinement in search of more primitive, authentic expression. This influential work is held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. As a key example of the French drawing tradition from the late 19th century, the image remains highly studied. High-quality representations, sometimes available as fine art prints, are frequently accessed through resources that prioritize artwork entering the public domain, allowing broader scholarly and public access to Gauguin's powerful explorations of the human form.