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

Henri-Joseph Harpignies (1819 - 1916)
Henri-Joseph Harpignies
1819 - 1916
Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster (1882 - 1949)
Aleksandra Aleksandrovna Ekster
1882 - 1949
Henri-François Riesener (1767 - 1828)
Henri-François Riesener
1767 - 1828
Federico Zandomeneghi (1841 - 1917)
Federico Zandomeneghi
1841 - 1917
Léon Emile Caille (1836 - 1907)
Léon Emile Caille
1836 - 1907
Natalia Dumitresco (1915 - 1997)
Natalia Dumitresco
1915 - 1997
Jean-Gabriel Domergue (1889 - 1962)
Jean-Gabriel Domergue
1889 - 1962
Benjamin Moravec (1977)
Benjamin Moravec
1977
Eugène Carrière (1849 - 1906)
Eugène Carrière
1849 - 1906
Paul-Émile Borduas (1905 - 1960)
Paul-Émile Borduas
1905 - 1960
Alexandre Defaux (1826 - 1900)
Alexandre Defaux
1826 - 1900
Georges Jouve (1910 - 1964)
Georges Jouve
1910 - 1964
Nicolas Huet (1770 - 1830)
Nicolas Huet
1770 - 1830
Charles Albert Lebourg (1849 - 1928)
Charles Albert Lebourg
1849 - 1928
Seydou Keïta (1921 - 2001)
Seydou Keïta
1921 - 2001
Georges Rouget (1783 - 1869)
Georges Rouget
1783 - 1869

Creators Divisionism

Joaquín Sorolla (1863 - 1923)
Joaquín Sorolla
1863 - 1923
Adalbert Mikhailovich Erdeli (1891 - 1955)
Adalbert Mikhailovich Erdeli
1891 - 1955
Gaston La Touche (1854 - 1913)
Gaston La Touche
1854 - 1913
Isaac Aronovich Davidovich (1911 - 1993)
Isaac Aronovich Davidovich
1911 - 1993
Antonio Gravina (1934 - 2011)
Antonio Gravina
1934 - 2011
Louis Cazet (1880 - 1942)
Louis Cazet
1880 - 1942
Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa (1871 - 1959)
Hermenegildo Anglada Camarasa
1871 - 1959
Emile Gauffriaud (1877 - 1957)
Emile Gauffriaud
1877 - 1957
Irene Zurkinden (1909 - 1987)
Irene Zurkinden
1909 - 1987
Wangyush Mio (1891 - 1957)
Wangyush Mio
1891 - 1957
Georg Burmester (1864 - 1936)
Georg Burmester
1864 - 1936
Wilhelm Trubner (1851 - 1917)
Wilhelm Trubner
1851 - 1917
Herrmann Lismann (1878 - 1943)
Herrmann Lismann
1878 - 1943
Erich Jaeckel (1901 - 1947)
Erich Jaeckel
1901 - 1947
Jan Verkade (1868 - 1946)
Jan Verkade
1868 - 1946
Alejandro Obregon (1920 - 1992)
Alejandro Obregon
1920 - 1992