Prints

The Pointilist approach taken by Georges Seurat has proven popular with the public, ensuring prints of his work continue to be purchased in large numbers. Here we discuss the different things to consider when ordering reproductions of the artist's original paintings.

Whilst the precise dots that he used to create form would be hard to replicate in a standard art print, it was other elements to Seurat's work that translate well into smaller reproductions. He was a keen follower of colour theory and we see the benefits of that with some of the bright palettes found within some of his most famous paintings, such as A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and Bathers at Asnières. He also made use of the content themes found within the Impressionist movement and many of these have resonated well within modern society. For example, the depiction of leisure time pursuits feels classical and also helps us to temporarily escape our own world and transport ourselves into this by-gone era. There is also a modern-like style to Seurat's work which belies the many years that have passed since these paintings first appeared. He would go on to inspire a number of other popular painters, with Van Gogh prints also continuing to be amongst the most popular of all.

The work of Seurat is contemporary and therefore will suit most modern homes. You might consider a frame for your reproduction, but it can also work without one. The highly precise approach with dots, one after another, may not suit the lower quality print types, and so it is worth spending a little extra in order to make sure that the final product is as faithful to the original as possible. It is a little similar to what happens if we try to sharpen images of these paintings, where the construction of these dots is simply not suitable for digital tweaks. The more reliable retailers will be aware of this and would already have tested out their artworks prior to offering them for sale. Seurat has also been particularly popular, meaning it is important for them to offer his work and ensure its quality. The artist only lived a relatively short lifetime, sadly, and this means that his oeuvre is relatively small. Major online print sellers will invariably have his entire output within their catalogue, aided by the fact that copyright is not applicable to his career, because of the number of years that have passed since his passing.

When selecting your product, always consider the costs involved with certain choices. For instance, a framed print will likely last much longer but there will be additional costs involved in its delivery, particularly when ordering from abroad. Taxes may also be an issue when importing, and so always check these out first in order to avoid any nasty surprises at a later date. Some retailers can helpfully inform you of about how much you would need to pay, including Amazon, but most will not and leave you to plan this for yourself. Most developed countries will have domestic suppliers who can be used to avoid any of these cocerns, as well as large marketplaces which bring a number of different businesses together, from which you can easily choose your favourite option. We take small commissions from Art.com and Amazon on this website and also can happily recommend them in most cases, directly from our own experiences of ordering framed art prints online for a number of years.

For those who are looking for more ideas at this stage, which other artists might you consider? Monet prints remain the most popular of all those in and related to the Impressionist movement, with his name being both famous but also his work being particularly suitable for modern tastes. If we look beyond him, you will also find Renoir and Degas prints being sold prominently, with the latter offering some stunning depictions of ballet dancers, for example, which have proven particularly popular in recent years. At a time of instability within the world, many are looking for art which takes them back to an age of innocence in which they can immerse themselves and boost their own mood as a result. Furthermore, the other major artists who exhibited in the early Impressionist displays are also well known today, with this movement being amongst the most exposed to public attention of any. This was a period which sat comfortably between the classic art of the past and the more abstract work that followed, and this balance continues to strike a chord with the art public.

We have included below three of the most popular choices from Seurat's career, with A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte and Bathers at Asnières remaining his two standout pieces. There are even highly respected studies for these two works that have also been well documented and most new to his career will become aware of it via one of these two famous paintings. They both spearhead the Pointilist movement as well as remaining within the list of most reproduced prints of all, from any artist. As mentioned, the artist's careful use of colour was key, and he learnt the importance of tone combinations in neighbouring dots upon his canvases, rather than just focusing on mixing each colour individually. Those learning art will also be interested to better understand his techniques which were unique and also inspired many other artists who were around at the time, as well as following on afterwards. When one considers the early 20th century movements such as abstract art and cubism, these may not have appeared were it not for the advancements made in the second half of the 19th century, and Seurat was a key part of that.

A further thing to consider is the number of options available when framing your art print. Whilst some prefer the canvas prints, Seurat's style is certainly more suited to the traditional framed art print and so most customers will tend to go for that option. It is normally advised to add a small card that lies between the print itself and the inside of the frame. This really allows the painting itself to breathe, ensuring that the qualities delivered by the artist originally are present here and allowed to take our focus. Otherwise, the frame will almost become part of the artwork itself and everything can feel a little bit cramped. Generally, these inlay cards should be fairly cheap but it is important to remember that they will widen the overall product, and therefore add extra costs in terms of the frame and also the shipping as a result of that. Alternatively, you might consider a cover for your art print, which can be clear plastic or glass. These should reduce damaged to your print from light, but again add weight to the product which needs to be considered.

Popular Georges Seurat Prints