Georges Seurat - White Houses, Ville d'Avray 1882
White Houses, Ville d'Avray 1882
oil/canvas
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
<< Previous G a l l e r y Next >>
From Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool:
This oil sketch was painted early in Seurat's short career. Its simple composition and flattened geometric quality contrasts with a complex use of colour.
Although initially inspired by the Impressionist use of colour, Seurat developed a growing interest in scientific colour theory, particularly the use of flecks of complementary colours to create optical effects. This is most evident here in the foliage on the right.
Seurat later developed this 'divisionist' technique more scientifically, using dots of pure colour. As a result, his work eventually lost the spontaneity of the Impressionist style.