“Study with Figures. Study for ‘La Grande Jatte'” is an artwork by Georges Seurat, created between 1884 and 1885 in France. It is executed in oil on canvas and measures 70.5 by 104.1 centimeters. The piece is associated with the Post-Impressionism and Neo-Impressionism movements and is categorized as genre painting. This artwork is part of the collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, located in Chicago, IL, United States.
The artwork depicts a tranquil outdoor scene punctuated by the leisure activities of various figures set amidst a lush landscape. In the foreground, distinct silhouettes of individuals can be observed, suggesting the presence of society partaking in relaxed pastimes. Further back, one can discern additional figures standing and mingling in the dappled shade provided by the treeline. The use of light and shadow is notable, with the artist employing a bright, vibrant palette to showcase the effect of sunlight filtering through the foliage and reflecting off the water surface beyond. The setting appears to be a park or riverside, a motif Seurat often favored to explore the interplay of natural light and color. The strokes in the artwork are characteristic of Seurat’s technique, which involves the meticulous placement of color to create a rich tapestry of shade and light, suggesting the foundational elements of the artist’s exploration into Pointillism, a technique he would further perfect in his subsequent works.
