Study of Figures for La Grande Jatte

My name is Feely T. Heart, and I will be your guide today through one of our paintings: nn "Study of Figures for La Grande Jatte" offers a glimpse into the artistic process of Georges Seurat, a pioneer of the pointillist technique. Created between 1884 and 1885, this preparatory work offers a fascinating insight into the creation of Seurat's monumental masterpiece, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte," which hangs in the Art Institute of Chicago. nn In this smaller-scale study, currently part of the National Gallery of Art's collection, Seurat focuses our attention on three figures positioned beneath the suggestion of a parasol. Two seated figures, rendered in earthy browns, occupy the center and right of the composition, while a third figure, painted in stark white, stands to the left. The figures are loosely rendered, their forms suggested through broad brushstrokes rather than meticulously defined lines. nn The background, a vibrant tapestry of yellows and greens, hints at a sun-drenched park setting. The absence of defined shadows further enhances the sense of bright, diffused light that bathes the scene. nn While this "Study" lacks the meticulous pointillist dots of color that characterize Seurat's later work, it provides a valuable understanding of his artistic process. Here, we see Seurat experimenting with composition, color, and light, laying the groundwork for the groundbreaking technique that would define his legacy.