Bust of a nude girl 1884

Paul Gauguin painted this "Bust of a nude girl" using oil on canvas. It is a traditional material for painters of the time, but Gauguin applies it in an interesting way. Looking at the painting, you’ll notice the visible brushstrokes, which add texture and depth to the image. Gauguin's technique involves layering paint in short, energetic strokes, creating a sense of movement and spontaneity. This technique also allows him to blend colors and create subtle gradations of light and shadow, giving the figure a sense of volume and form. The canvas itself contributes to the painting's texture. Unlike traditional academic painting that hides the marks of its making, Gauguin embraces the qualities inherent in his chosen materials and process. In doing so, Gauguin elevates the status of craft, implying that the labor of making is just as important as the end result. This piece invites us to consider the ways in which painting and artmaking are a type of labor.