Gray Weather, Grande Jatte

Georges Seurat

Created:
Movement:
1888
Pointillism
key Notes:
Pointillism, Atmospheric Landscape
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Dimensions:
27 3/4 x 34 in. (70.5 x 86.4 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
Difficulty:
Easy
New game
story of the work:

"Gray Weather, Grande Jatte" is a painting by French artist Georges Seurat, created between 1886 and 1888. The work depicts a view of the island of La Grande Jatte, a popular leisure destination on the Seine River near Paris. Seurat is known for his innovative technique of pointillism, which involves applying small dots of color to create a cohesive image. This painting exemplifies his interest in capturing the effects of light and atmosphere. The composition features a muted color palette dominated by grays and blues, reflecting the overcast weather. The figures in the painting are rendered in a stylized manner, characteristic of Seurat's approach to form and space. "Gray Weather, Grande Jatte" is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. The exact circumstances of its creation and the specific influences on Seurat during this period remain largely unknown.

Description of the work:

"Gray Weather, Grande Jatte" is an oil on canvas painting by Georges Seurat, created circa 1886–88. The composition features a muted palette dominated by shades of gray, blue, and green, reflecting the atmospheric conditions of the scene. The painting depicts a view of the island of La Grande Jatte, characterized by its tranquil waters and a cloudy sky. Figures are rendered in Seurat's signature pointillist technique, with small dots of color that create a sense of depth and movement. The arrangement of the figures and the landscape elements conveys a sense of leisure and contemplation. The overall effect is one of harmony and balance, typical of Seurat's approach to capturing the interplay of light and color. The work exemplifies the artist's interest in the effects of weather on the perception of the environment.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Gray Weather, Grande Jatte