In today’s Culture Tourist Art Blogmas, we’ll see Paul Signac and his lovely winter scene from the Boulevard de Clichy.
Art Blogmas 2022
Paul Signac was a French neo-Impressionist painter and one of the most important representatives of the Pointillism and Divisionism art styles. The painting we’re hosting in our Art Blogmas today is an excellent example of the latest.
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Paul Signac: Boulevard de Clichy
Boulevard de Clichy is a famous street in Paris. Today, it’s the most well-known as home to Moulin Rouge. However, during the second half of the 19th century, it was a lively place and often a motif to Impressionist and first modern painters living in Paris. It was also home to Le Tambourin Cafe, where many painters met and talked about art. So, it’s no surprise Paul Signac chose it for his lovely winter scene.
He painted it in 1886, and it’s a perfect example of a new style he started developing – Divisionism. He was already experimenting with the Pointillist dots’ texture before.
But now, he’s putting the dots of the different colours next to each other and mixing them that way. So when we look at the painting, our eyes see mixed colours already. Only when we look at it from the vicinity can we see the texture.
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That’s especially visible on the building on the right-hand side of the painting. The image looks completely different depending on the distance we’re looking at it from.
He’s using this style to show the depth of the painting, as well. The way he’s using the texture makes it seem like the road and trees are disappearing in the distance.
If you don’t want to miss other paintings I’ll share with you in this year’s Art Blogmas, be sure to check in here tomorrow at 7:30 am. Or, follow along on the Culture Tourist Facebook page and Instagram profile.