The Art of GEORGES SEURAT

THE BEC du HOC, GRANDCAMP (1885) (above) "Seurat's seascapes", wrote his friend Felix Feneon, "give off calm and melancholy. They ripple monotonously as far as the distant point where the sky comes down. One rock rules them tyrannically - the Bec du Hoc". Here, the huge outcrop of rock juts across the canvas, dwarfing the distant sailing boats.

Le CHAHUT (1890) (above)In this nightclub scene, Suerat focuses our attention on the "happy" diagonal lines formed by the dancers' raised legs as they perform "Le Chahut, and the sloping neck of the double bass. The mood of gaiety is intensified by the leaping coat-tails of the male dancer and the "smiling" bows on the women's shoes.

THE HARBOUR AT GRAVELINES (1890) (above) Seurat spent the summer of 1890 at Gravelines, on the Channel coast, where he derived the inspiration for this peaceful harbor scene. He carefully composed the picture around the gentle curve of the sea wall, the sturdy bollard in the foreground and the slender masts of the boats at anchor. The cool clarity of the early morning light enhances the impression of absolute calm.

THE MODELS (1888) (above) In this "small version", three models pose in front of Seurat's huge canvas La Grande Jatte. Seurat probably wanted to prove that his vibrant "dot" technique could be applied with equal effect to a studio interior or a sunny outdoor scene.

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