Mother and Child (recto); Profile Bust of a Man (verso)

In this early drawing, a mother cradles her child, their forms rendered in soft black chalk. The figures are gently modeled, suggesting a tender, intimate moment, with the mother's head tilted towards her infant. The artist, Paul Gauguin, was just 22 when he created this piece, still working as a stockbroker and years before his more famous paintings of Tahitian life. This drawing offers a glimpse into his nascent artistic practice, showing an interest in figural studies and domestic scenes that would evolve dramatically in his later career. The subtle shading and delicate lines capture a quiet human connection, a theme that, though presented differently, would persist in his explorations of family and community.