In the mid 1880s, two French artists were working in collaboration on a whole new manner of making art - painting pictures that were no longer built by smooth brushstrokes, but, rather, from laying down tiny dots of colour.
Thank you again, as usual. I’ve never been able to predict what you’ll cover next, which makes this Substack so refreshing! The Courtauld has a marvellous collection of Seurat, and this time next year they have an exhibition Seurat and the Sea. Wonderful to see, and I hadn’t appreciated how much Van Gogh admired them. And yet … I’ve always thought of pointillism as a bit of a dead end, and you don’t hear of ‘neo-pointillism’. I know S and S are the protagonists, but I don’t know of any major others. I’d be glad to see them!
I do enjoy keeping things varied here, so that really means a lot to know you appreciate that too.
Yes, van Gogh himself actually experimented with some pointillism at times due to liking the affect so much, but I think the sheer patience it requires didn’t quite match his own preferred way of working.
However, if you do want one more realyl great Pointillist, check out Theo van Rysselberghe . He does some pointillist portraits which are just unbelievable.
The colours and vibrancy are amazing but I think there's also something so warm and 'open arms' about Signac's work too. You want to step back and be closer at the same time!
Good story! I seem to remember that Seurat's groundbreaking "A Sunday on la Grand Jatte" was inspired by the ground-breaking scientific studies of color by famed scientist Eugene Chevruel. I always thought it interesting that although Seurat died so young, the man who inspired him lived to the ripe old age of 102 and is one of the scientists whose name is inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. I love a good story.
That’s some really impressive knowledge. You are absolutely right about Seurat being inspired by the groundbreaking science of his day. But I actuallly did not know about Eugene Chevruel - nor that his name is inscribed on the Eifell Tower. How cool.
I didn’t know of Signac, but glad I do now. His colours are glorious - like that orange umbrella illuminating his wife! Thankyou, George, for another wonderful read over breakfast this morning. Such a good way to start my day!
Really glad to know this helped introduce his work to you. And even more so, that you enjoy the articles as a start to the day. Thank you for your support.
I've seen Seurat's work in person, and as I gaze into the paint, I am always amazed at the sheer amount of WORK involved in pointillism! You are right, the technicality of his technique is genius. However, I am unfamiliar with Paul Signac and will have to do a deeper dive and hopefully find one in person. His work is so vibrant! Seurat appears dull in consideration. It is always interesting to find the connections between these painters of that time and place. Signac appears to have wonderfully incorporated Van Gogh's dynamism with Seurat's technique. That painting of his wife is astounding! Thank you for sharing this painter today!
I totally agree with you. To see the pointillism of Seurat or Signac in person really is quite a marvel And I think the beauty is just how these two men approached their work in such different ways.
So for Seurat, art was always based on theory and heavy research into the science of colour (he literally was on his way to becoming a world authority on these things by the time of his death). Whereas Signac was definitely more “art centred” - hence why his work does carry slightly more vibrancy or striking colours.
But again, even if the results may vary - the beauty the both achieved really cannot be denied.
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Is Suerat’s most notable piece, I love that you have exposed his view from the other side of the river ;-]
I have prints of them both and spend way too much time exploring them.
Signac is new to me, but I’m going to investigate. I need a new piece of framed art in the front room and you keep me looking. A lesser known artist will lead to a lot more conversation! Thanks.
Yes, to be honest I should have mentioned it being an equal tie for his most notable piece as La Grande Jatte is definitely a seminal work for Seurat too.
I really don’t think it would be possible to spend too long exploring them both!
But I’m also glad to know this helped introduce you to Signac as I am sure you’ll enjoy investigating his work more.
Oh cool. It’s great to know that you paint with pointillism too. Sometimes it can feel like these techniques are dying out - but I still love the effect of it too.
Thank you again, as usual. I’ve never been able to predict what you’ll cover next, which makes this Substack so refreshing! The Courtauld has a marvellous collection of Seurat, and this time next year they have an exhibition Seurat and the Sea. Wonderful to see, and I hadn’t appreciated how much Van Gogh admired them. And yet … I’ve always thought of pointillism as a bit of a dead end, and you don’t hear of ‘neo-pointillism’. I know S and S are the protagonists, but I don’t know of any major others. I’d be glad to see them!
I do enjoy keeping things varied here, so that really means a lot to know you appreciate that too.
Yes, van Gogh himself actually experimented with some pointillism at times due to liking the affect so much, but I think the sheer patience it requires didn’t quite match his own preferred way of working.
However, if you do want one more realyl great Pointillist, check out Theo van Rysselberghe . He does some pointillist portraits which are just unbelievable.
I shall - thanks!
Jan Toorop -seen at the Rijksmuseum this morning <https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/Portrait-of-Marie-Jeanette-de-Lange--443eae859f95c387ab0ad79562c98340>. The sitter ran a campaign for less restrictive and more comfortable women’s clothes in the corset era. I’ve seen his work before, but I didn’t know he was a pointillist as well. You’ve set me on a quest! Thank you!
Love the paintings by Signac, another painter I had not heard about before.
The colours and vibrancy are amazing but I think there's also something so warm and 'open arms' about Signac's work too. You want to step back and be closer at the same time!
That’s such a perfect way of describing his work. You are so right.
Good story! I seem to remember that Seurat's groundbreaking "A Sunday on la Grand Jatte" was inspired by the ground-breaking scientific studies of color by famed scientist Eugene Chevruel. I always thought it interesting that although Seurat died so young, the man who inspired him lived to the ripe old age of 102 and is one of the scientists whose name is inscribed on the Eiffel Tower. I love a good story.
That’s some really impressive knowledge. You are absolutely right about Seurat being inspired by the groundbreaking science of his day. But I actuallly did not know about Eugene Chevruel - nor that his name is inscribed on the Eifell Tower. How cool.
I didn’t know of Signac, but glad I do now. His colours are glorious - like that orange umbrella illuminating his wife! Thankyou, George, for another wonderful read over breakfast this morning. Such a good way to start my day!
Really glad to know this helped introduce his work to you. And even more so, that you enjoy the articles as a start to the day. Thank you for your support.
Always learning from your posts. Thanks, George. I have admired Signac’s work.But I did not know the rest of the story - Van Gogh and Seurat.
Much appreciated, Monica. Thanks for reading.
Love the couple who seem to be taking an anachronistic selfie in the Time of Harmony!
Oh, what a brilliant spot! I hadn’t even noticed that.
I've seen Seurat's work in person, and as I gaze into the paint, I am always amazed at the sheer amount of WORK involved in pointillism! You are right, the technicality of his technique is genius. However, I am unfamiliar with Paul Signac and will have to do a deeper dive and hopefully find one in person. His work is so vibrant! Seurat appears dull in consideration. It is always interesting to find the connections between these painters of that time and place. Signac appears to have wonderfully incorporated Van Gogh's dynamism with Seurat's technique. That painting of his wife is astounding! Thank you for sharing this painter today!
I totally agree with you. To see the pointillism of Seurat or Signac in person really is quite a marvel And I think the beauty is just how these two men approached their work in such different ways.
So for Seurat, art was always based on theory and heavy research into the science of colour (he literally was on his way to becoming a world authority on these things by the time of his death). Whereas Signac was definitely more “art centred” - hence why his work does carry slightly more vibrancy or striking colours.
But again, even if the results may vary - the beauty the both achieved really cannot be denied.
Even though I think
A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte
Is Suerat’s most notable piece, I love that you have exposed his view from the other side of the river ;-]
I have prints of them both and spend way too much time exploring them.
Signac is new to me, but I’m going to investigate. I need a new piece of framed art in the front room and you keep me looking. A lesser known artist will lead to a lot more conversation! Thanks.
Yes, to be honest I should have mentioned it being an equal tie for his most notable piece as La Grande Jatte is definitely a seminal work for Seurat too.
I really don’t think it would be possible to spend too long exploring them both!
But I’m also glad to know this helped introduce you to Signac as I am sure you’ll enjoy investigating his work more.
The Pink Cloud makes me laugh out loud every time I see it! Pointillism is my favorite style. I paint landscapes in this manner!
Oh cool. It’s great to know that you paint with pointillism too. Sometimes it can feel like these techniques are dying out - but I still love the effect of it too.
It’s a technique I’d love to experiment with.
For me, it is a very different process than doing anything that approaches classic or realistic techniques...