Two Cows; A Seated Breton Woman [verso]

"Two Cows; A Seated Breton Woman [verso]" is a significant dual-sided drawing by Paul Gauguin, executed during the crucial transitional years spanning 1884 to 1888. Classified simply as a drawing, this French work utilizes crayon on wove paper, a medium that highlights the immediacy and observational quality of the artist’s hand. The primary composition features a pastoral study of two cows, rendered with expressive linearity and a focus on capturing the bulky weight of the animals. This naturalistic approach demonstrates Gauguin’s continued effort to master fundamental forms, even as his focus began shifting toward Post-Impressionist and Symbolist concerns.

The piece belongs squarely within the period of 1876 to 1900, charting Gauguin’s departure from Impressionism and his deepening fascination with subjects rooted in rural France. The inclusion of a second subject, A Seated Breton Woman, on the verso is particularly revealing. This figure, captured perhaps during one of Gauguin’s extended stays in Pont-Aven or Le Pouldu, reinforces his growing interest in the customs, clothing, and perceived primitive character of Brittany. The dual nature of the drawing suggests its function as a working study, where Gauguin quickly captured fleeting observations of both livestock and local inhabitants, often reusing materials to conserve resources.

The raw immediacy inherent in the medium of crayon on wove paper allows unique insight into Gauguin’s compositional methods during the 1880s. Unlike his highly stylized paintings of the subsequent decade, this piece emphasizes preparatory draftsmanship. This drawing is held within the renowned collection of French drawings at the National Gallery of Art, providing crucial context for understanding the development of one of the 19th century's most influential artists. As a vital study created by Gauguin, the work’s documentation is widely available, frequently appearing in scholarly texts and allowing for the creation of high-quality prints available through various public domain initiatives.