Pointillism or Divisionism

Fascinated with color and optics, Georges Seurat and other Post-Impressionists developed what we often call Pointillism or Divisionism. These Pointillist artists, often referred to as Neo-Impressionists, applied relatively small dots and dabs of color to create their images. Seen from far away, the images have a realistic appearance. As you approach the pieces, however, you realize that they consist of small areas of colors layered on top or placed within close proximity of each other. When viewed from a distance, many of these colors blend together to become variations of the dominant color or to become other colors altogether because the human eye is not able to discern them.

Below are examples of pieces created by other artists exploring the possibilities of Pointillism. All of these pieces are at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Maximilien Luce (1858-1941), Morning, Interior (1890)

Paul Signac (1863-1935), Evening Calm, Concarneau, Opus 220 (Allegro Maestoso) (1891)

Theo Van Rysselberghe (1862-1926), Little Denise (Denise Marechal, later Madame Georges Beart) (1889)