The Bank of the Seine 1884

Georges Seurat, who was born in Paris, painted 'The Bank of the Seine'. Like other Impressionist artists, he focused on the changing qualities of light and movement as central to his work. Here, we see figures at leisure, some sitting on the river bank, and others wading into the river. What is interesting about this seemingly carefree scene is that it does not offer a clear narrative, nor does it focus on any particular individual. Seurat was interested in how color and light function together. He makes use of Impressionist brushstrokes, but to a different end. Rather than conveying the vitality of modern life, Seurat uses his methods to investigate the way we see, and how we comprehend the world around us. There is a distinct lack of interaction between the figures who are sharing this space; they are together, but alone, perhaps reflecting the growing sense of alienation in modern, urban life. The painting asks us to consider the relationship between individual experience and collective existence. How do we connect with others while retaining our sense of self?