The painting was painted in two sessions. Georges Seurat spent countless hours in the park sketching the figures and concentrating on color, light, and form. During his talks, Gustave Kahn discussed the painting's influence on the Parthenon frieze. He painted it from October 1885 to May 1886. During the time that it took to complete it, Seurat exhibited the painting to various museums.
Composition
The composition of the Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat is not easily recognizable, but the piece's grand solemnity is communicated. Although Seurat said he aimed to depict modern people moving like friezes, the frozen figures in the painting suggest that they do not move. The painting also lacks greenery, and its somber colors suggest a sense of timelessness.
To create ‘La Grande Jatte', Seurat created nearly sixty preparatory sketches. This early version of the work is on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. Seurat's earlier version was not accepted for the Salon des Independants, and he had to make a few changes. In addition to altering the figures in the composition, Seurat also applied his trademark pointillist technique. The large, bright form of La Grande Jatte gained him widespread acclaim.
The composition of A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte is a popular choice for a Sunday afternoon in Paris. It depicts the bustling city streets and the river as an oasis of coolness. The island was also a popular spot for prowling prostitutes, and the women in Seurat's painting were often seen fishing. While historians do not know for sure, it's interesting to see how Seurat painted the jetty in a unique way.
Influence of Gustave Courbet on Georges Seurat
During his lifetime, Seurat was deeply influenced by the paintings of Gustave Courbet. He grew to appreciate the primitive and ancient art, and he was fascinated by the rigid shapes and outlines of these ancient works. The Louvre was a museum of ancient art, with Assyrian and Egyptian paintings. The ancient art he saw in the Louvre inspired Seurat to create works of similar aesthetic quality.
While he studied law in Paris, he also cultivated his artistic career. His mother, Sylvie, arranged the farm for Regis and encouraged him to be musical. Several of his paintings included his younger sisters. Juliette played the piano, and his sisters, Zoe and Zelie, were featured in Young Women from the Village. Their portraits often depict the same scenes.
While his father wanted him to become a lawyer, Courbet defied his father and devoted himself to painting. The lily lake scenes he produced began to resemble the Impressionist movement. Other artists were inspired by the Impressionist movement, but favored the Realist style. Henri Fantin-Latour, who studied under Courbet in 1861, became influenced by Courbet's style.
