Seated Woman with a Parasol (study for La Grande Jatte) by Georges Seurat French, 1859-1891, is a pivotal preparatory drawing dating from 1884-1885. This intimate sketch captures one of the primary figures that would populate his monumental oil painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, now a cornerstone of the Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. The work exemplifies Seurat's systematic approach to composition, characteristic of the nascent Post-Impressionism movement. Moving away from the spontaneous brushwork of traditional Impressionism, Seurat utilized detailed studies to rigorously plan the arrangement of figures, light, and shadow before committing to the final canvas.
Executed in black Conté crayon on ivory laid paper, this piece demonstrates Seurat's mastery of tone and texture. Unlike traditional linear drawings, Seurat (1859-1891) used the Conté stick to create a velvety, luminous surface, subtly building up density to modulate light. The seated figure, shielding herself with a parasol, emerges from the paper through highly sophisticated manipulation of minute strokes and smudging. This technique, where shadow appears absorbed rather than merely reflected, was crucial for him to test the visual effects he intended to transfer to the massive oil painting, particularly regarding the formal stiffness and anonymity of his Parisian subjects.
As a key work illustrating the artist’s highly disciplined methodology, the drawing is essential for understanding the development of Pointillism. It reflects the burgeoning modernity and leisure culture of late 19th-century France, portraying a moment of stillness amidst public recreation. While the final painting, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, is famous for its color theory, this drawing underscores Seurat’s structural genius in pure value and tonal complexity. This significant piece of graphic art is classified as a drawing and remains vital for academic study. Its historical importance means that high-quality prints and references to this study are frequently accessible in the public domain for research and educational purposes worldwide.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.