A Head of Man with Hat, Seen from Behind; A Standing Woman [recto] 1884 - 1888

This is a sheet of paper with two sketches by Paul Gauguin. On one side, a man in a hat, seen from behind. On the other, a standing woman. Both are quickly rendered in pencil, with thin, searching lines. The immediacy of the drawing gives us direct insight into Gauguin's working method. Pencil on paper is as basic as it gets – humble materials, but capable of conveying great subtlety. Look at the hatching used to describe the hat; it's a simple technique, yet it gives form and depth with remarkable efficiency. The same is true of the figure study: a few lines suggest posture, volume, and movement. Although Gauguin is best known for his paintings, drawings like these reveal the foundation of his artistic practice. They demonstrate his keen observation and ability to capture the essence of a subject with minimal means. It reminds us that even the grandest artistic visions often begin with the simplest of tools.