Sketches of Standing Figures and Animals

Sketches of Standing Figures and Animals by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, is an intimate drawing created in 1891, a pivotal year that marked the artist’s departure from Europe for the South Pacific. This study, executed in graphite and watercolor on cream wove paper, showcases Gauguin’s immediate observational skills and preliminary conceptualization. The paper, which has since aged and discolored to a warm tan hue, was originally removed from a larger sketchbook, underscoring its function as a working document rather than a finished piece.

The fragmented composition depicts various standing human figures interspersed with outlines of animals. This juxtaposition reflects Gauguin’s growing interest in non-Western iconography and his drive to synthesize realistic observation with symbolic or decorative forms. The robust graphite lines define the contours of the figures with the heavy precision typical of his Post-Impressionist style. While based in France, the artist spent much of 1891 preparing to leave, and studies like this hint at the ethnographic sources and visual vocabulary he intended to explore in his subsequent body of work.

This preparatory drawing is a significant holding within the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Gauguin’s studies from this transformative period offer invaluable insight into his development of Symbolism and his commitment to expressive draftsmanship. The status of the work as a historical and artistic reference means that high-resolution images of this essential drawing are increasingly made available through the public domain, allowing scholars and enthusiasts worldwide to analyze the technical foundations of one of the 19th century's most influential artists.