Two Studies of a Child's Head; Two Studies of a Child's Head, a Woman in Profile, and a Man Wrestling an Animal [recto] 1884 - 1888

Paul Gauguin made this ink on paper drawing titled, Two Studies of a Child's Head, sometime in the late 19th century. The artist is well known for his post-impressionist paintings but this sketch gives us insight into his artistic process. Gauguin lived during a time when art academies and salons held significant power in dictating artistic standards. We can see him moving away from those conventional expectations. It's important to remember that even quick sketches like this one were influenced by the cultural context of his time. The focus on informal and intimate subjects reflected a shift toward more personal and subjective experiences. The study of children's heads may indicate a desire to explore themes of innocence or familial connection, which were popular among artists and patrons during this period. To truly understand this piece, we can delve into Gauguin's personal life and artistic development, as well as broader social and cultural trends of 19th-century France.