Title Page for "Le Sourire" (Titre du Sourire)

Paul Gauguin

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of an abstract scene with various figures and text. The image features a stylized text "Le Souri type" near the top left. To the left, an abstract form resembling a creature or figure with distinct shapes and patterns is present. In the central area, abstract shapes give the impression of seated or cloaked figures, defined by heavy lines and curls suggestive of fabric. On the right, another figure appears to be resting their head on folded hands, their features somewhat discerned with swirling lines and textures. The painting is executed with bold black and white contrasts, featuring pronounced use of negative space. The overall composition appears to be a woodcut or linocut, characterized by robust, deliberate line work and strong contrasting areas.