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

Félix Bracquemond (1833 - 1914)
Félix Bracquemond
1833 - 1914
Jean Bernard Duseigneur (1808 - 1866)
Jean Bernard Duseigneur
1808 - 1866
Edouard Boubat (1923 - 1999)
Edouard Boubat
1923 - 1999
Gen Paul (1895 - 1975)
Gen Paul
1895 - 1975
Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg (1740 - 1812)
Philippe-Jacques de Loutherbourg
1740 - 1812
Michel Victor Acier (1736 - 1799)
Michel Victor Acier
1736 - 1799
Louis-René Vialy (1680 - 1770)
Louis-René Vialy
1680 - 1770
Paul-Emile Leon Perboyre (1851 - 1929)
Paul-Emile Leon Perboyre
1851 - 1929
Emile Lahner (1893 - 1980)
Emile Lahner
1893 - 1980
René Koechlin (1866 - 1951)
René Koechlin
1866 - 1951
Roger Bezombes (1913 - 1994)
Roger Bezombes
1913 - 1994
Claire Merigeau (1954)
Claire Merigeau
1954
Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1697 - 1771)
Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli
1697 - 1771
Martin Léonce Chabry (1832 - 1883)
Martin Léonce Chabry
1832 - 1883
Jules Adolphe Breton (1827 - 1906)
Jules Adolphe Breton
1827 - 1906
Louis-Constant Sévin (1821 - 1888)
Louis-Constant Sévin
1821 - 1888

Creators Divisionism

Giuseppe Casciaro (1861 - 1941)
Giuseppe Casciaro
1861 - 1941
Janie Wilkinson Whyte (1869 - 1953)
Janie Wilkinson Whyte
1869 - 1953
Isaac Tarkay (1935 - 2012)
Isaac Tarkay
1935 - 2012
Carl Bössenroth (1863 - 1935)
Carl Bössenroth
1863 - 1935
Eugène Deshayes (1828 - 1890)
Eugène Deshayes
1828 - 1890
Henri Rousseau (1844 - 1910)
Henri Rousseau
1844 - 1910
Bruno Krauskopf (1892 - 1960)
Bruno Krauskopf
1892 - 1960
Hurvin Anderson (1965)
Hurvin Anderson
1965
Louise Vidal (1876 - 1918)
Louise Vidal
1876 - 1918
Emma Joos (1882 - 1932)
Emma Joos
1882 - 1932
Alfred William Finch (1854 - 1930)
Alfred William Finch
1854 - 1930
Alfred Aaron Wolmark (1877 - 1961)
Alfred Aaron Wolmark
1877 - 1961
Anna Peters (1843 - 1926)
Anna Peters
1843 - 1926
Anton Nissen (1866 - 1934)
Anton Nissen
1866 - 1934
Serafino De Tivoli (1826 - 1892)
Serafino De Tivoli
1826 - 1892
Theodor Severin Kittelsen (1857 - 1914)
Theodor Severin Kittelsen
1857 - 1914
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