A Caricature and Five Forms; A Man in Profile, a Winged Creature and a Boy [verso] 1884 - 1888

Paul Gauguin created "A Caricature and Five Forms" with graphite on paper; we can see several different forms. The caricature of a man in profile is especially interesting, and it might be related to his broader interest in representing different social types. Gauguin made this drawing in France. The late 19th century was a time of great social and political change. The rise of industrial capitalism, the growth of cities, and the increasing secularization of society all had a profound impact on French culture. Artists like Gauguin, who were often critical of these changes, questioned the role of art in society and the very institutions that housed and supported it. Through images that often referenced non-Western cultures, Gauguin implied a critique of European norms. By studying his drawings, along with his letters and other documents, we can better understand how Gauguin used art to challenge the social structures of his time.