Paul Signac was a French Neo-Impressionist painter, born on November 11, 1863, in Paris, and he died on August 15, 1935, in the same city. He was one of the principal figures in the development of the Pointillist technique, a method of painting pioneered alongside Georges Seurat, in which small dots of pure color were applied to the canvas to create vibrant, luminous compositions.
Signac initially trained as an architect but turned to painting after being inspired by the works of the Impressionists, particularly Claude Monet. In 1884, he met Georges Seurat, and together they developed and refined the Pointillist method, also known as Divisionism. This technique was based on scientific theories of color and optical mixing, aiming to achieve greater brightness and harmony in painting.
His early works, influenced by Seurat, display meticulous, precise dot applications, but over time, he adopted a freer, more expressive style with larger, more visible brushstrokes. Unlike Seurat, who often painted urban and social scenes, Signac was particularly drawn to maritime subjects, seascapes, and ports, which he depicted in a dazzling array of colors.
Throughout his career, Signac traveled extensively across France and the Mediterranean, painting in locations such as Saint-Tropez, Venice, and La Rochelle. His love for sailing is evident in many of his works, where boats, harbors, and the shimmering effects of water are central themes.
