Crouching Monkey and Man's Head; Bones and Muscles [verso] 1884 - 1888

Editor: Here we have "Crouching Monkey and Man's Head; Bones and Muscles," a sketch from 1884-1888 by Paul Gauguin, rendered in pencil on paper. The drawings feel so immediate, almost like peeking into Gauguin’s thought process. What’s your perspective on a piece like this? Curator: Well, seeing a sketchbook page like this gives us insight into the academic training Gauguin went through. We can see him grappling with classical ideas of form, muscles, and anatomical correctness that he received at the Colarossi Academy, a private studio popular among artists outside the official Salon system. But consider this, why juxtapose those classical studies with a "Crouching Monkey"? Editor: That's a great question. Is it perhaps some commentary on the social hierarchy or, maybe, Darwin's then-recent theories on evolution? Curator: Precisely! By placing them side by side, Gauguin potentially questions man's perceived superiority. The art world at the time was also captivated with depicting non-Western people and places as exotic locales. We need to consider how Gauguin's work might be influenced by and contribute to this gaze. What statement, if any, is Gauguin trying to make by including these images? Editor: So it’s more than just anatomical studies; it's engaging with debates about humanity and othering within the larger cultural context? I hadn’t considered that angle. Curator: It’s precisely the tension between observational study and potential social commentary that makes this seemingly simple sketch so engaging, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I do. I'll definitely look at sketches in a new light moving forward, understanding them as both artistic practice and potential social dialogue. Thanks!