Four Studies of Breton Women; Shapes and Vases [verso] 1884 - 1888

Paul Gauguin’s “Four Studies of Breton Women; Shapes and Vases [verso]” is a pencil drawing on paper, executed between 1884 and 1888. The work is composed of two pages, each side featuring a collection of sketches, including portraits of Breton women, and studies of vases and other geometric shapes. The fragmented nature of the composition highlights Gauguin’s experimental approach to drawing, and the use of simple lines and hatching creates a sense of immediacy and energy. Gauguin’s interest in the indigenous peoples and culture of Brittany is evident in this work, which explores the unique character and beauty of the region’s inhabitants.