Seurat can be seen as one of the founders of the style which is now know as Pointillism. Painting small dots in a specific color and order, thus making a composition which is fresh, clear, has vivid colors , because the dots look to melt which each other and in this way producing a vivid , shiny color. The composition itself was in many cases linear with imaginary lines all moving in one direction. For instance the lines of Le Chahut all go up. ( see the moustaches).
There are not many paintings executed in the pointillistic style by Seurat. Seurat only became 31 years of age and in this time he made 50 known paintings in the pointillist style. We are fortunate to have one in the Netherlands and it is not the least important one, because mrs Kroller Muller chose this herself to be part of her impressive collection. So do not visit the Museum Kroller Mulelr for the van Gogh’s , but instead look at the other paintings in the collection which are at least as impressive . The Seurat being one of them.
Tip. When you visit the Kroller Muller Museum. Leave your car at the entrance and hop on a bike to cycle to the museum and the Jachtslot by Berlage one of the most beautiful National Parks the Netherlands has and a great way to spend a day.
for some nice titles on Seurat: www.ftn-books.com
