This Painting Is More Unhinged Than You Think
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- Introducing "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat. At first glance, it transports us to an idyllic world, but upon closer examination, the façade begins to unravel. Seurat employed his distinctive technique of applying individual points of pure color to the canvas, a method he dubbed divisionism, now known as pointillism.
This picturesque scene unfolds on the Island of La Grande Jatte, a tranquil spot just outside Paris along the Seine River. In its time, it provided respite for the bourgeoisie seeking to escape the city's hustle and bustle. On Sundays, it became a gathering place for people of diverse social classes. Yet, as we explore the painting, our eyes are drawn to the monkey in the lower right corner, hinting at hidden complexities beneath the surface.
These subtle details are the essence of what makes this artwork so captivating. Seurat also created a sister piece on the opposite side of the river, titled "Bathers at Asnieres."
Upon its public unveiling, opinions on this painting diverged sharply. It is now widely regarded as a commentary on modern life rather than a celebration of it. Thank you so much for watching!
#arthistory #art #fineart #classicart
Credits:
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Comment below if you got the movie reference at the end 🤩 and let me know what other paintings you'd like to see me cover in the future!
Beullerrrr???
He's sick.
The Kiss by Klimt, please. I love it's sumptutious ambiguity as art, and the interesting personality of Klimt. It's the first and only piece of art I've bought in any form, because the image is so striking. Plus, although it's well known, it might not be so well understood.
Can you do a piece of art from the art deco era?
I'd love your take on THE CONVERSION OF SAUL/ST PAUL (the horse butt painting) by Caravaggio
I have some ideas for paintings you could do. The hireling shepherd, by William Holman Hunt. Édouard Manet, Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe, 1863; can’t speak French lmao. Also The Harvesters, by Peter Bruegel the elder. 1565
Also want to say, your channel is amazing. I’ve been watching it for awhile and it helps me better understand art. I love paintings especially. Thanks ❤
While I commend your effort to analyze Seurat's painting through the lens of his native language, I feel compelled, as a native speaker of French myself, to correct something you have said in this video:
While _pêcher_ does, in fact, mean "to fish", the word that means "to sin" is _pécher_ (note the different accents on the first "e"). Both words sound somewhat similar (but not identical) and it is not inconceivable that Seurat was making a pun of some sort, but I believe he was simply referring to the expression _aller à la pêche_ (lit., "to go fishing"), which means "to look for something without a specific method or plan" or "to attempt to catch something", which could very well apply to a prostitue trying to "catch" a man.
That being said, this was a very interesting video, as are all your videos. Keep up the great work!
Potatoe, Potato, Patate.
@@curtisbryce5096 I respectfully disagree, and it really is called _pomme de terre_ . If you feel that fishing and sinning are the same thing, then there isn't much I can say to change your mind. That doesn't make it correct from a linguistic standpoint.
@@MOONSUN4Life You definitely need an enema. It seems you have a sense of humor that may have been misplaced.
@@curtisbryce5096 Telling someone who obviously knows more about the topic than you do, who in a civil , respectful manner adds interesting background information?
That his knowledge doesnt matter. Because you feel so. With ad hominem derision mixed in :
NOT as good a look as you seem to imagine.
@@FischerNilsA You are definitely suffering from constipation. You need to get that looked at.
Such a beautiful and intriguing painting. I had no idea he died so young! I can't help but wonder what other amazing paintings we might have had today if he would have lived a longer life... Thank you so much for doing these videos, they teach me so very much that I don't think I would have learnt otherwise.
I love this channel. Informative, educational, entertaining and of course her sense of humour is on point. Kudos and keep 'em coming.
Thank you Jeremy! Will do!
"Boop" 🤭 Too funny and cute. I absolutely love, love, love your videos. I get so excited when I get a notification of a new video. I've learned so much about art. Thank you for making this channel. Take care. ❤
Your voice is easy to listen to and your content mixes humour with analysis. You have a great channel. Thank you
Wow! Thank you so much!
Watching this got me in the mood to watch Sunday in the Park With George for a millionth time
Love, love this channel. I rarely post and am enamored! How could I have missed all of the cool stuff in this painting?
Thank you! It has so many Easter eggs!
Aaaah, It seems that Seurat had a fever of dots, maybe the predecessor of kusama, and decided to place each dot on his canvas with love and dedication. You can imagine that while creating this masterful puntillistic puzzle, he had to regularly wear glasses to check that he was really painting and not just counting the park's pebble paths.
I worked at an elementary school a while back and this painting was in one of the classrooms. Even before I knew the history behind this painting and the story it told, I thought it was a strange painting to have in an elementary school. It made me feel uneasy just looking at it. All those dots!
I can listen to your voice explain how pain dries it’s so soothing and enthralling
Love the way you analyze each painting with both seriousness and humor.
Could you maybe do Stanislaw Wyspianski Portrait of Eliza Parenska? This is a favorite and the colors are fabulous, not to mention the sadness of the young girl. Thanks
I remember in my middle school art class "Seurot painted dots". He was one of the first six artists I learned about. The others were Georgia O'Keefe, Vincent Van Gogh, Kandinsky, Jackson Pollock and Piet Mondrion.
I loved seeing this painting in person. It was so much bigger than I expected
If this piece was boring I doubt we would all be here enjoying your analysis.
The cheeky homage to the "Cameron" character in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" at the end of the video was nostalgic n funny. 😊
Expected an art lesson, did not expect attached puns 💯.
By the way, you have a very calming voice.
I so appreciate this critique! What a lovely man! I always saw the little girl in the center and had not noticed the jumping running little one. I would have never seen the nurse, I likely dismissed it as a chair. I did not put so much weight on the little monkey. It seems like a normal pet for the day. So all the symbolism is fascinating. The boys on the shore in the workmen's painting remind me of my sons. I believe the artist trusted the majority of the public to really see that for it's own merit.
Art Deo's Day Off! only you're very, very on - on point, that is! Thanks for doing these. Love your commentary and your humor.
Oh @Art_Deco, you are so great! Waldemar Januszczak would totally absolutely love your videos!
Unfortunately I can’t see this painting withOUT thinking about that movie.
My favorite painting. I am actually looking at the print hanging on my wall while I listen. And I have always loved the monkey 🙊
What an amazing video, thanks! I have this painting printed in a mug, for over 15 years... I will never see it the same way 😅😂👍
Seurat paintings always felt stiff and pale. Yet I still find them very interesting. I was fascinated by pointillism, and I do like his circus painting a lot.
I find the woods in the right corner in contrast to the open area quite interesting. Like they came out of the darkest forest but putting on their best behaviours and of course best Sunday clothes. The couple is coming from the actual mystic of the darkness behind them. In the shadow the open umbrella is very important, keeping the person continueesly in the shades, when they're about to step into the brightly lit grass. The "monkey" would probably hang from tree to tree, go all crazy in the forest, but here , because of the public and reputation it is chained to move freely and dominated by rules of society.
Did you reference Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at the end?!
👍👍👍👍
The monkey is also transparent, even potentially a ghostly. The workingclass fellow is also one of the few figures in the painting with a distinct, well illustrated face.
Monkeys weren't uncommon as pets in the 19th century (1800s). Wouldn't be surprised if it was a visual pun though, or innuendo. What's weird about the monkey is it looks somewhat transparent. You can see the man's shoes through it.
Though it's too early date-wise, the painting seems rather surrealistic to me. And there are a few odd things like, why is there a cabinet sitting there on the grass (I could be convinced it was a street organ, except it doesn't have wheels or a person operating it in view), the trumpet looks wrong (the bell/flare of the trumpet is pointed at the trumpeter, he'd deafen himself), the lady sitting with her back to us in a grey cloak with a red scarf tied around her cap that trails to the ground (the wetnurse?)...she looks like adorned rock, she only looks like a human at first glance because she's surrounded by other humans sitting on the grass. And more besides that. If you go to the painting's wikipedia page, you can enlarge it quite big.
I like Seurat's work. He was easy to remember on my art history test too. "Seurat the dot" is how I kept him stuck in my head.
WOW all history of painting dark but beautiful
Very well explained. Thank you.
I seen this painting in art class .All I could think of was he must have had a lot of time on his hands .
Fascinating! Thank you ❤
Thank you so much for supporting the channel!
I must compliment anyone with the paitence to perform these dot methods. It drives me crazy.
Interesting analysis of the paintings in these videos. As I speak French I was trying to figure out what word you were referring to because of the pronunciation
Always super enjoyable. Thank you for your hard work. ❤❤
I believe Seurat's interest was in demonstrating his colour theory. For myself, the details are just what one might see in his contemporary world. As such, they create an air of realism, indicating what his process can achieve.
5:17 the paint boop 😂
Your vids make me laugh and learn. Thanks :-)
I love this painting. This was a very exciting period in art because the was so much experimentation.
Wunderbar
Thinking about the few figures moving or interacting. Young woman sitting on ground looking down at flowered, family w baby, running dog, little girl walking
Love the Ferris reference
Thanks!
Thank you so much for supporting the channel!
If it wasn't for the museum episode of Courage the Cowardly Dog I would have never noticed this
Thanks, Art!
There's a topiary garden in Columbus, Ohio. Behind the school for the blind, that is this picture.
love ur vids!!!
My roommate had a print of “. . . La Grand Jatte.” When she brought it home, she asked me to help her figure out one feature.
After close inspection, I concluded it was a small price tag.
5:16 THE BOOP
I always disliked piet mondrian until I analyzed his paintings. And now I adore them. Maybe you can explain us any painting from Kandinsky? Because I find myself being repulsed by his art, but I think there has to be more to it.
Is that a boat going down in the distance?
What is the significance of the backward trumpet player? The trumpet that is not the player
...as she recreates that scene from Ferris Beuhler's Day Off
pixel pioneer indeed
It’s hot up here
I swear the relaxed working-class guy is a mix of Javier Bardem and Robert Pattinson 😂😂😂 Love your videos!
Yes!
😁
I’m pretty sure he’s a rower. Maybe not so working class.
I have no idea who you are talking about 🤔 ☺️
Yes, he’s a rower relaxing on the grass and since he’s wearing a rowing outfit he not working class. No big deal if there are mistresses in the picture. Many bourgeois men went to visit their mistresses in their long lunch times and it was seen as normal at the time.
I feel you placing modern US moral values on a very different time and place.
It is a wonderful painting and it’s well worth seeing. The biggest surprise is how large it is.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for supporting the channel!
"Things aren't always what they seem."
My major takeaway from watching 99% of your videos :)
I love paintings like that!
Beautiful as always!! This has always been a fascinating painting but I had no idea of the story/history/puns behind it!
Thank you! It's wild!
same here.
I always look forward to these videos. I love the humor and the fact that I'm finding out more about these art pieces. So interesting!
💥❤💥
I think you made a good effort, One thing you might have to do is have another look at Paris clothing. You said the woman was wearing "very fancy" clothing - actually no. This was normal everyday clothing in 1884. Fancy Parisian dress was a whole other thing.
Basically he invented the color TV
So true!
My late mom received an MFA from the Art Institute of Chicago. She took me there to see this painting (and others) many years ago, and I have an emotional connection with it as a result. I remember that she explained pointillism to me, and I remember my subsequent fascination with the dots. Forever after, an image of this painting immediately comes to my mind when I encounter the word, “pointillism”.
Thank you so much for helping me to appreciate this painting so much more deeply than I had previously.
This has long been one of my all time favorite paintings. I’ve seen the original in Chicago and it’s pretty amazing. I love the Sondheim musical based on it, and the musical orchestration is…wait for it….pointillistic. Thank you for the illumination of the figures in the painting. I’ve always been amazed by the sheer scope and technique of the work, but never stopped to think about the figures in the painting, and what they mean.
I was at the same chicago exhibit. Possibly we passed each other without knowing it. WOW
My cultural exposure is comparatively limited, so thank you for introducing me to "Bathers". Even though it was 'rejected' I found it to be really engaging. I felt more connected to it than I've ever been to Sunday Afternoon.
I agree... learning about this "sister painting" has extended my appreciation of "Sunday Afternoon", gratitude renewed for the broader view.
I wonder why he chose to point the bell of the trumpet into the trumpet players face ?? I dont recall ever seeing any trumpet shaped that way.. Or even if it was supposed to be a trombone same design problem.. Also there is a young girl on one leg "in motion" towards the rear.. You were discussing the dog being in motion too...
I think that's just a horn
"LOOK! A butterfly!" 🤣😂 Yours is one of the very few notification bells I have cicked on TH-cam. You are funny and pleasingly informative. My 2 favorite attributes! 🥰
Haha🦋! Thank you!
@@Art_Deco LOOK! A butterfly
One of the most iconic paintings of all time and meanwhile I click because “Hehe funny monkey”
I don't know if this is the movie you're referencing, but I do remember this painting was in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. There was a scene in the movie where the friend was staring at this painting and the tiny dots.
I’m fairly certain that was the point.
What makes you say that man is working class? Look at him again, then look again at the men rowing, then think again.
"This Painting Isn't As Perfect As It Seems."
Goes on to describe everything that makes the painting perfect...
cry?
@Art Deco, You'll get million subs here soon I know it. This content has your personal taste and inflection, of which totally gives it your character, along with the professional edge to refine it all. I feel your channel is different from the other art YT channels because it feels like talking/listening to someone who is passionate, knowledgeable and relatable to an individual in the field which also works for those who are not. This will separate you from all the channels with just a good narrator. Keep it up!
I would love to watch your interpretation of works of Polish XIX-XX century painter Jacek Malczewski. Poland do not have too many world famous painters, but Malczewski for sure is one of the most unique and interesting ones. He was one of most important representatives of Young Poland movement (a branch of modernism). He mixed great skill, interesting techniques and abundance of social, religious and mythical symbolism.
Whats with artists and their endless commentary on prostitution
Perhaps they themselves feel like they had to “sell out” to the buyers to earn a living and not being able to freely paint what they really wanted to?
Women are hot
Perhaps Art is about the artist communicating their ideas to their audience. So, prostitution commonly seen as the second oldest profession, has been ever present in society. So arguably, every artist who chooses prostitution as a subject has something to say about it. Whether you get the message, depends on your exposure to, and understanding of the subject? The visual arts are about representing reality in a form that we might contemplate it, and share meaning with artists. Every artist is striving to make an impression on you, and it really depends on you what that is.
@@carlk.3264 that is good point
I have seen this painting g in person several times thru decades. Never noticed the monkey! Wow!
I really enjoy your videos. You provide a combination of history, art critique and even a commentary on humanity. My favorite course in college was Art History. I dropped out after 2 years but always have been interested in art. Often thought I would be a tour guide in a museum once I retire.
i love your videos so much! this has always been one of my favourite paintings. Seurat's technique of pointillism reminds me somewhat of pixels on a screen.
The discoveries of optics Seurat used to develop his system are at the root of the invention of television and pixels on screens. Different applications of same principles.
I recently spent a day at the Chicago Art Institute and at least 20 minutes staring at this amazing work. Of course the thing that surprised me most was the size, this is a MASSIVE canvas and I'm so happy that the Institute makes it so wonderfully accessible. The uniformity of the dots is insane, I cannot imagine how time consuming and exacting this was to create just on the mechanical side alone. I really wondered about the monkey, and hearing your in-depth explanation makes me respect Seurat even more. Thank you!
One of my favorite painters…I’ve loved his work since childhood. His ability to capture the separateness and isolation of modern life, as well as the exhaustion of the working class, which can be seen in The Bathers, speaks to his genius. Excellent video.
And nothing exept... "Sunday in the park with George!" ❤
I love this painting. It's so visually calming and (to me) feel like a fuzzy blanket. It instantly makes me think up story lines for these people and helps me relax.
You might enjoy Sunday In the Park With George. The original production starred Bernadette Peters (before Into the Woods) and Mandy Patinkin (Inigo Montoya).
There is so much meaning going on in that painting once you understand the society the artist lived in!
No surprise that his wife was from a different "class"! He was obviously able to see the humanity in all the people on both sides of the river!
Oh, movie reference!? FERRIS BUELER, of course!
Any chance of doing one of these on a painting by Matisse?
Thank you for pointing out the monkey, which I had not noticed before.
I first learned about this painting in an undergraduate art class at a conservative Christian college. They neglected to mention prostitution and marital infidelity.
@Artdeco you always manage to pull a belly laugh out of me 😂 I adore you ❤ thank you for existing!
Aw! Thank you 😊
Thanks. His work fascinated me when I was in my teens and seeing this again after so many years brought back a lot of memories. Great video as always.
Thank you, Dave! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video and thank you for the generous Super Thanks!
@@Art_Deco 😊👍
Somehow, this one had WAY TOO MANY words. Whew.
Also, my middle school art teacher LOVED this style of painting to the point of making us do the same still life over and over and over....
The PTSD is real.
My mother finally had to have a meeting with her and the school. It was all ridiculous...
Why was that 'boop' at 5:14 so cute? I could listen to it all day!
The ending is a perfect shout out.
I had to do it! Their facial expressions are uncannily similar!
Perhaps we could call Seurat the great grandfather of the pixel?😊
This channel is a piece of art itself
This comparison between the two waterside painting really help me understand the significance of both. The working-class bathers feel a lot less mannequin-like. many of the figures in the other picture have bolt-straight charm-school-like posture that remind us that all the women are wearing corsetry. Even at rest, they are posing and being seen. Animals meander and run, but every child except the orange-dress girl is right beside a parent, tightly controlled. That posture just isn't familiar today and would seem unnerving, so it's hard to know if it's been much exaggerated from what would have been seen at the time.
Meanwhile, the young workers swimming have much more relatable body-language. Arguably, every one is slouching or lounging in some way. These guys without their family units around them and it's hard to tell who knows who or if they all know eachother, whereas all the folks in the other painting are neatly parsed out into personal space for themselves and whoever they are with or not. Certainly this is a more relational community, however, with everyone closer together and the furthest out right guy standing in the water with hands around his mouth, potentially calling across the water to some person we can't see accross it or in a boat--someone that he may, or may not know. Many people in both pictures have their eyes out of view in some way, because of hats, or hair, or the way they are turned and facial expressions are pretty blank, so everything is about body language here. I think that has to be intentional, because a lot can be said about it.
I really love your videos, your voice is perfect for them! Thank you!!
Did I pick up on the Ferris Bueller reference? Yes. Do I love you and your work even more for it? Also, yes.
I seem to remember a very clever reference to pointillism in the movie, “Clueless.” I always thought the very notion of pointillism was an effective optical illusion (when you viewed the work at a precise distance and angle) and utterly useless (when viewed at any less-than-optimal distance and angle.) Kinda like 3D glasses at a Disneyland attraction. Despite the allusions to hookers and infidelity, this painting speaks to me a of well-ordered, manicured calm which I treasure. And, the admittedly hot “working-class” dude relaxing on the lawn is worthy of honorable mention.
She called someone a “full on Monet” because like an impressionist painting, from far away she was ok but up close she was a big old mess. 😂😂😂
My Art Queen with the ASMR voice is back! The wait is worth it. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into your segments. You make art so interesting to even the layman. Terrific job of balancing education and humor. I do wonder how long it takes to create a painting between “da dots” and longer intentional strokes. Next time in France, I’ll look for the ladies either walking a monkey or fishing by a stream😉. Wish me luck folks😆👍.
Funny, we watched the Barbarella movie the other day and this Painting was in her space ship! I wonder if there is a link between the themes of modernity in both works.
Art Deco is super cool
Kevin MacLeod commenting on my video? What?! Thank you for sharing your amazing music with us!
If your goal is to get people interested in paintings, you have succeeded with me! I mean, how many times I've seen this painting in my 50 some odd years on this space rock and never really given it a second glance (or thought)... now I am going to tell everyone and share this video with them. So thank you. Now if only YT would consistently serve your vids to my feed! 🙄
Really enjoy your videos - love learning about art history! Immediately thought of Cameron in FBDO when I saw the thumbnail!! ❤
I love your channel! As soon as I saw Art Deco pop up on my alerts I stopped everything to watch. Your videos are always brilliant. Thank you very much!
Thank you so much!