GEORGES SEURAT1859-1891

Georges Seurat

Born 1859 in Paris, France Part of the French Impressionism Movement Studied art between 1878-79, then did a

year of military service. Returned to Paris in 1880 and began his art

career. Spent the next two years mastering the art

of black and white drawing, and became a very skilled draughtsman.

Began his first large painting in 1883

Pointillism

Developed in 1886. This technique was so labor intensive that Seurat

only finished seven paintings in this style. consists of tiny confetti sized dots of pure unmixed

color placed side by side. Seurat believed that by placing dots of color next to

each other, they would optically mix in the viewer’s eyes and appear more vibrant than if they were physically mixed together either on a palette or on the canvas itself.

Seurat’s most celebrated painting in this style is “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”.

•The Bathers -1884•Painted before he developed pointillism.•Still physically blended the colors on the canvas and his palette.

•A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, 1884-1886•Took two years and 40 sketches and color studies.•His first painting in pointillism.•Measured around 6’ x9’.•Had mixed responses. •People weren’t sure how they felt about the process because it seemed more scientific and meticulous than artistic.

•The Side Show, 1888•Famous for its depiction of a night scene illuminated with artificial lights.•How does this differ from A Sunday on La Grande Jatte?•How is it similar?

•The Circus, 1890-91•Seurat’s last painting before he died.•Exhibited 3 days before his death.•Hung above his deathbed by his mother.•How does this painting differ from the previous paintings?•How is it similar?

Reflection on: “A Sunday on La Grande Jatte”1. What is the

subject matter of this painting?

2. What principles of art are achieved in the painting?

3. What is the overall mood of this painting?

4. How does the artist communicate this mood?

Summary of identifying characteristics.1. Usual Subjects:

Leisure activities

2. Signature Style: Bright colors in tiny dots. (Pointillism)

3. Concerns: optical blending of colors in the eye of the beholder.

4. Hallmarks: Grainy surface, stylized figures, meticulous process.

Write this down!!!