Profile of a Boy and Self-Portrait [recto] 1884 - 1888

Editor: This is Paul Gauguin's "Profile of a Boy and Self-Portrait," created between 1884 and 1888 using pencil. The quick, almost hurried lines give it a very intimate, sketch-like quality. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the obvious representation, I see a layering of identities being negotiated. Gauguin, often critiqued for his colonial gaze and exoticization of the "other", is here juxtaposing himself with the innocent image of a child. Does this speak to the artist’s own conflicted positionality, caught between self-assured artistic persona and perhaps a more vulnerable, unformed identity? Editor: That's a really interesting point. I was so focused on the art itself, I hadn't considered his place in history like that. How does this reading challenge the traditional view of Gauguin as solely a post-impressionist artist? Curator: It invites us to dissect his motives. He abandoned his family, and, one might argue, embraced a romanticized idea of Tahiti at the expense of its inhabitants. Looking at this sketch, it seems pertinent to ask: Is there a level of self-awareness here, a hint of regret or understanding of his privilege, reflected in the contrast between the two profiles? Or is it further justification of an ego that needed to consume? Editor: So, by considering Gauguin's personal history, and the power dynamics in his life, we can look at this drawing with a critical eye, and consider how it may further emphasize this conflict. Curator: Exactly. This piece becomes more than just a portrait; it is an artefact in the study of identity, a cultural and political mirror reflecting complex social injustices. Editor: That adds so much depth to such a simple drawing. I see it so differently now. Curator: Hopefully it sparks reflection not just on Gauguin, but also how we, as viewers, engage with art and its complex legacy.