In this unfinished painting by Francois Krige, a boy gazes past us whilst gently holding what looks to be a shovel. The background is still in processed layers. Krige often employs the same tonal range in both the background and for his portraits clothes, allowing the focus of the composition to be on the face and hands of his portraits. The sensitive use of colours in the background and shirt – draws our attention and focus to the boy. This style is similar to that of Paul Gaugin, who turned away from the sophisticated, urban art world of Paris and instead looked for inspiration in rural communities with more traditional values.