Three Tahitians (Study for "La soeur de charite")

Three Tahitians (Study for "La soeur de charite") by Paul Gauguin is an illuminating example of the artist's preparatory studies executed during his later years in Polynesia. Created circa 1899-1902, this work is classified as a print, specifically employing the experimental medium of traced monotype in black ink. Gauguin utilized wove paper for this composition and meticulously squared the resulting image in pencil, a technique indicating that the study was intended for precise scale transfer to a larger project, ultimately relating to the painting La soeur de charite (The Sister of Charity).

This piece reflects the French artist's immersion in Tahitian life and myth, themes central to his Post-Impressionist output during the period designated as 1876 to 1900. The subject focuses on three female figures rendered with the characteristic simplification and evocative contour lines Gauguin developed to capture the perceived spirituality and natural grace of the islanders. The traced monotype technique allowed Gauguin to maintain the immediacy of drawing while transferring the design, ensuring the fundamental elements of the composition remained intact for subsequent, larger works.

The deliberate squaring highlights the methodical approach Gauguin took to refining and formalizing his visual vocabulary, demonstrating how prints and working drawings functioned critically within his artistic process. The visual evidence of the pencil grid overlying the inked monotype provides valuable documentation of his compositional planning.

As a significant example of the artist’s graphic work, this study resides in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The preservation and accessibility of such preparatory works, sometimes available as public domain resources, offer scholars and enthusiasts critical insight into the creative evolution of Gauguin’s iconic Tahitian phase.