Woman with Cow, and Goose; Counterproof [verso]

The work Woman with Cow, and Goose; Counterproof [verso] by Paul Gauguin, created between 1884 and 1888, is classified as a drawing, executed in crayon on wove paper. This particular piece is a counterproof, a technique where the original drawing is dampened and pressed against another surface—in this case, the verso of the sheet—to create a reversed, slightly softer impression. This technique captures the spontaneous energy of the initial mark-making while lending the composition a unique tonal quality.

This drawing belongs to a pivotal moment in art history, spanning the years 1876 to 1900, when French art experienced dramatic transitions from Impressionism toward Symbolism and Post-Impressionist exploration. While Gauguin is most famously associated with his later, exoticized Tahitian subjects, this earlier work reflects his continued engagement with quotidian, pastoral life, likely observed during his periods in northern France or Brittany. The intimate composition features a female figure alongside two farm animals—a cow and a goose—suggesting a scene of domesticity, agricultural labor, or simple rural existence.

The simplicity of the forms and the expressive use of crayon foreshadow the French artist’s later preference for bold outlines and reductive compositions that elevate peasant themes and the idea of primitive life. As an essential example of Gauguin's exploratory draftsmanship, this drawing provides crucial insight into his evolving style during the late nineteenth century before his mature Symbolist phase.

This historically important drawing resides in the prestigious collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. The inherent characteristics of this medium make it valuable for studying the working methods of the artist. Because of its cultural significance and age, high-quality documentation and digital prints derived from the museum’s archives are occasionally released into the public domain, ensuring broad access to this foundational work created between 1884 and 1888.