Parade de Cirque
12:00 AM |
| Georges Pierre Seurat, Parade de Cirque , 1887-1888 |
Each dot serves to illustrate the smallest part of such a larger whole. The performers seem to glow from the halo of spots that emanate from the gaslights placed above them. The audience falls under the shadow of the stage, enthralled with the show of spectacular music and skill unfolding before them. The performers give off a haughty, almost distant, tone, like they truly are elevated above those watching them from below. This scene pulsates in front of the viewer in a hazy form, like a lens slightly out of focus.
Pointillism embodies an almost obsessive search for the perfect color combinations. The act of painting in this style is geared entirely towards the viewer. The artist takes it upon himself to construct the most visually stimulating scene with pinpoint accuracy. The amount of energy and perseverance that goes into creating such a piece is mind-boggling. Viewing a painting like this, one can't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to witness such genius and innovation. In an age of automatic results, effort like this is sometimes lost on those who view it. But thumbing through any color theory textbook, one can see that ever dot of color is there for a purpose, and it's relative to those colors around it. Seurat's skillful management of such a busy medium garners him rightfully earned acclaim. He challenges the viewer to not only study the details, but also appreciate the big picture.
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