Georges Seurat (1859 - 1891) - photo 1

Georges Seurat

Georges Seurat was a French painter, renowned as the founder of the 19th-century French school of Neo-Impressionism. His groundbreaking technique, Pointillism, involved the use of tiny, contrasting color brushstrokes that, when viewed together, created a luminous quality in his compositions. Seurat's life was a blend of rigorous academic training and innovative artistic exploration.

Born on December 2, 1859, in Paris, Seurat demonstrated an early interest in art. He received formal training at the École des Beaux-Arts under Henri Lehmann, a disciple of the Neo-Classical painter Ingres, where he honed his skills in drawing and composition. Seurat was deeply influenced by color theories and the science of optics, which became central to his artistic approach. He was particularly inspired by the work of Michel-Eugène Chevreul and Ogden N. Rood, whose writings on color contrast and harmony greatly influenced his painting technique.

One of Seurat's most famous works, "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" (1884–1886), showcased his Pointillism technique. This painting, now housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, portrays members of different social classes engaged in various activities in a park setting. The work is notable for its use of small, juxtaposed dots of multi-colored paint, which allow the viewer's eye to blend colors optically. This technique was a significant departure from the traditional methods of color mixing on the canvas.

Another notable work by Seurat is "Bathers at Asnières" (1884), displayed at the National Gallery in London. This large canvas depicts young men relaxing by the Seine in a working-class suburb of Paris. The painting reflects Seurat's neoclassical training, with its smooth, simplified textures and carefully outlined figures.

Seurat's final painting, "The Circus" (1890-91), represents a shift to a more dynamic representation of movement and is typical of his late style. Unfortunately, Seurat's life was cut short when he died suddenly in March 1891, leaving "The Circus" unfinished. This painting is now part of the collection at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.

Seurat's innovative techniques and his exploration of color theory and optics had a lasting impact on the art world, influencing subsequent generations of artists. His work remains a testament to the fusion of scientific principles with artistic expression, making him a pivotal figure in the transition from Impressionism to Post-Impressionism and modern art​​​​​​.

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Date and place of birt:2 december 1859, Paris, France
Date and place of death:29 march 1891, Paris, France
Nationality:France
Period of activity: XIX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter
Art school / group:Société des artistes indépendants
Genre:Genre art, Landscape painting, Portrait, Still life
Art style:Impressionism, Neo-impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Divisionism, Pointillism

Creators France

Jean Louis Tocqué (1696 - 1772)
Jean Louis Tocqué
1696 - 1772
Gilbert Portanier (1926 - 2023)
Gilbert Portanier
1926 - 2023
Jean Vincenti ()
Jean Vincenti
Émile-Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin (1841 - 1907)
Émile-Coriolan Hippolyte Guillemin
1841 - 1907
Jean Luce (1895 - 1964)
Jean Luce
1895 - 1964
Camille Pissarro (1830 - 1903)
Camille Pissarro
1830 - 1903
Georges Lapchine (1885 - 1950)
Georges Lapchine
1885 - 1950
Henri-Pierre Picou (1824 - 1895)
Henri-Pierre Picou
1824 - 1895
Amedeo Modigliani (1884 - 1920)
Amedeo Modigliani
1884 - 1920
Charles Amédée Philippe van Loo (1719 - 1795)
Charles Amédée Philippe van Loo
1719 - 1795
Louis Joseph Watteau (1731 - 1798)
Louis Joseph Watteau
1731 - 1798
Jean-François Leleu (1729 - 1807)
Jean-François Leleu
1729 - 1807
Jean Alexis Achard (1807 - 1884)
Jean Alexis Achard
1807 - 1884
Mikhail Roginsky (1931 - 2004)
Mikhail Roginsky
1931 - 2004
Géraud de Frachet (1205 - 1271)
Géraud de Frachet
1205 - 1271
Robert-Joseph Auguste (1723 - 1805)
Robert-Joseph Auguste
1723 - 1805

Creators Divisionism

Alfons Epple (1899 - 1948)
Alfons Epple
1899 - 1948
Marius de Buzon (1879 - 1958)
Marius de Buzon
1879 - 1958
Mosse Stoopendaal (1901 - 1948)
Mosse Stoopendaal
1901 - 1948
Arthur Merric Bloomfield Boyd (1920 - 1999)
Arthur Merric Bloomfield Boyd
1920 - 1999
Arthur Kampf (1864 - 1950)
Arthur Kampf
1864 - 1950
Otto Möller (1883 - 1964)
Otto Möller
1883 - 1964
Mariano Alonso Perez (1857 - 1930)
Mariano Alonso Perez
1857 - 1930
Waldemar Sewohl (1887 - 1967)
Waldemar Sewohl
1887 - 1967
Egon Schiele (1890 - 1918)
Egon Schiele
1890 - 1918
Romualdo Locatelli (1905 - 1943)
Romualdo Locatelli
1905 - 1943
Jules Eugene Pages (1867 - 1946)
Jules Eugene Pages
1867 - 1946
John Ford Clymer (1907 - 1989)
John Ford Clymer
1907 - 1989
Dietz Edzard (1893 - 1963)
Dietz Edzard
1893 - 1963
Selden Gile (1877 - 1947)
Selden Gile
1877 - 1947
Giuseppe Giardiello (1877 - 1920)
Giuseppe Giardiello
1877 - 1920
Franz Rederer (1899 - 1965)
Franz Rederer
1899 - 1965
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