Sketch of Man with a Hat and Fragment of Woman’s Shoulder

The drawing Sketch of Man with a Hat and Fragment of Woman’s Shoulder by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is an intimate figural study created between 1891 and 1893. This period was crucial for the artist, marking the beginning of his influential journey to Tahiti and a transformation in his subject matter and aesthetic focus. Executed in graphite on cream wove paper, the sheet has discolored over time to a tan hue. Technical analysis confirms the artwork's origin as a page removed from one of Gauguin’s working sketchbooks, evidenced by its irregular shape.

The composition centers on the swiftly rendered figure of a man, likely wearing a European-style hat, observed in close proximity to the fragmented suggestion of a woman's shoulder or torso on the left. Gauguin used graphite rapidly to establish form and spatial relationships, reflecting his tendency to gather observational notes for later, more detailed compositions, including his complex woodblock prints. Though created during the time he began exploring Oceanic culture, Sketch of Man with a Hat and Fragment of Woman’s Shoulder appears to reflect studies made within France or memory sketches of European figures.

As an item extracted from a private sketchbook, this drawing is an important primary source for understanding Gauguin’s preliminary artistic methods and the observational acuity of the Post-Impressionist master. The work is held within the extensive collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Although the original graphite drawing remains a unique museum artifact, high-quality digital reproductions, often released under public domain licenses, provide valuable access to these early studies.