Circus Sideshow (Parade de cirque)
The Met
Artist: Georges Seurat(French, Paris 1859–1891 Paris)
Date: 1887–88
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 39 1/4 x 59 in. (99.7 x 149.9 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen C. Clark, 1960
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
Pointillist painting of a stage performance with a central figure, musicians, and an audience
Detailed Description
The painting depicts a nocturnal or dimly lit stage performance rendered in a pointillist style, characterized by small, distinct dots of color. The overall color palette is muted, dominated by blues, browns, and greens, with accents of warmer tones for lighting. In the upper left, a bare tree trunk with a few branches extends upwards. Behind it, three figures in dark, uniform-like attire and bowler hats are seated behind a railing, appearing to play instruments. Their faces are rendered with minimal features. At the center of the stage, a tall, slender figure stands facing forward, wearing a dark, conical hat and a dark jacket over lighter trousers. This central figure holds a long, light-colored string or chain that drapes downwards. Behind this figure, a large, circular, light-colored object with a radiating pattern is visible. To the right of the central figure, another figure stands with a mustache, holding a whip. Further right, a smaller figure in a light-colored ruffled collar looks upwards. The background behind these figures consists of vertical panels in varying shades of brown and green, with rows of small, glowing circular lights. Along the top edge of the stage, several stylized, light-colored crown-like or starburst shapes are arranged. The lower half of the painting shows the audience, depicted as a dark mass of heads and hats, mostly in silhouette, looking towards the stage.
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