Studies of a Cow [verso]

The detailed drawing Studies of a Cow [verso] by Paul Gauguin, executed in graphite on wove paper, captures the artist’s focus on naturalistic observation during a critical developmental phase. Dated between 1884 and 1888, this work is classified specifically as a preparatory drawing and provides insight into Gauguin’s technical methods before his fully realized Symbolist period. The composition, found on the reverse side of another sheet, emphasizes detailed renderings of bovine anatomy, likely serving as resource material for future paintings involving agricultural or rural settings.

This piece belongs firmly within the French artistic environment of the late nineteenth century (1876 to 1900), a period marked by intense experimentation following the Impressionist movement. While many viewers associate Gauguin with vibrant color palettes and exotic subject matter derived from his later travels, the quiet discipline demonstrated in Studies of a Cow [verso] highlights his fundamental mastery of draftsmanship. Using simple graphite on wove paper, Gauguin carefully delineated the form and muscle structure of the animal. Such detailed anatomical studies were foundational, providing a precise visual vocabulary that Gauguin would later simplify and transform into the bold, flattened planes characteristic of his mature canvases.

As a vital example of Gauguin’s methodical practice, this preliminary study is preserved in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art. Drawings from this era are essential for understanding the trajectory of the French Post-Impressionist movement. While the original drawing remains protected in the museum’s vaults, high-quality digital prints of key works like this are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that Gauguin’s essential technical exercises remain accessible for study and appreciation.