The Lighthouse of Gatteville 

Paul Signac rendered ‘The Lighthouse of Gatteville’ with oil paint, a material that has a long and complex history. Here, Signac adopts the technique of pointillism, applying small strokes or dots of pure color, allowing the viewer's eye to blend them optically. This method, rooted in scientific color theory, was a deliberate and labor-intensive process, a marked departure from the more intuitive brushwork of earlier impressionists. The material application becomes the message. With each dab of pigment, Signac painstakingly constructed the scene. This reflects the mechanization and standardization of labor that defined the era. The pointillist technique mirrors the repetitive, almost mechanical processes of industrial production, yet applied with artistic intention. Signac's choice of subject matter adds another layer of meaning. Lighthouses, symbols of guidance and safety, were also products of industrial progress, relying on advanced engineering and skilled labor. By depicting this beacon of modernity with a technique that evokes both the precision and the alienation of industrial labor, Signac invites us to consider the complex relationship between art, industry, and society. Ultimately, it underscores how materials and making processes are deeply entwined with broader cultural and economic forces.