Study for Aita tamari vahine Judith te parari [verso] by Paul Gauguin, drawing, 1894

Study for Aita tamari vahine Judith te parari [verso]

Paul Gauguin

Year
1894
Medium
charcoal, black chalk, and pastel on paper worked over with brush and water
Dimensions
overall: 30.6 x 62.1 cm (12 1/16 x 24 7/16 in.)
Museum
National Gallery of Art

About This Artwork

Study for Aita tamari vahine Judith te parari [verso] by Paul Gauguin is a significant drawing created circa 1894, illustrating the artist’s complex methodology during a pivotal moment in his career. Classified as a drawing, the work employs a sophisticated combination of charcoal, black chalk, and pastel on paper, which Gauguin further manipulated by working over the media with brush and water. This innovative technique allowed the French artist to achieve the softness and atmospheric effects usually associated with painting, blurring the line between graphic study and finished composition.

Dating firmly within the period 1876 to 1900, the drawing reflects Gauguin's deep engagement with non-European cultures and symbolic representation following his return trips from Tahiti. As the verso of a larger sheet, this study offers unique insight into the immediacy and exploratory nature of Gauguin’s creative process. The blended application of chalk and charcoal suggests a rapid exploration of form, perhaps serving as a preliminary idea for the main composition referenced in the title. This technical mastery defines his mature style, characterized by simplified forms and powerful, often unsettling, psychological depth.

The work is an important example of late 19th-century draughtsmanship, reinforcing Gauguin's status as a leader of the Post-Impressionist movement. While the original drawing resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art, its significance often leads to its inclusion in historical art studies. For those wishing to examine this piece in detail, high-quality reproductions and prints of the Study for Aita tamari vahine Judith te parari [verso] are frequently made available through public domain initiatives, ensuring that this crucial documentation of Gauguin’s artistic journey remains accessible globally.

Cultural & Historical Context

Classification
Drawing
Culture
French
Period
1876 to 1900

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