Paul Signac’s “The Milliners,” created in 1885/86, is an oil on canvas painting measuring 116 x 89 cm. The artwork is signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner. The painting is currently located in the Emil Bührle Collection.
This painting showcases Signac’s early exploration of pointillism, a technique characterized by the application of small, distinct dots of color.
The scene depicted in “The Milliners” features two women engrossed in their millinery work, creating and trimming hats. The woman on the left is bending over with scissors in hand, cutting a roll of fabric, while the woman on the right, seated at a table, is focused on sewing a hat. The table is cluttered with various materials, including rolls of fabric, ribbons, and hat-making tools. The detailed textures and vibrant colors highlight the meticulous and labor-intensive nature of their craft. The background consists of a wallpaper with a subtle floral pattern, adding to the domestic and intimate atmosphere of the workshop.
