Eiffel Tower
| Support Type: | Wood Panel |
| Paint Type: | Oil Paint |
| Current Location: | Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco |
| Location History: | The painting was originally owned by Roger Marx (1859–1913) in Paris and was sold after his death at Galerie Manzi-Joyant, Paris, on 11–12 May 1914, as lot 72. It was later acquired by Bernheim-Jeune and, by 1924, belonged to Princess Marguerite Gilbert Caetani Bassiano in Rome. By 1934, it was owned by Georges Bernheim and was subsequently sold to Jacques Seligmann & Co. in New York. The painting later passed through the collections of Cesar de Hauke and Germain Seligman, whose estate held it until 1978. After being placed on consignment with E. V. Thaw & Co., New York, it was sold to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in 1979. |
“Eiffel Tower,” painted by Georges Seurat, is an accurate depiction of the famous tower built by Gustave Eiffel in Paris in 1889. The painting by Seurat was also completed in the same year. In fact, Seurat completed this painting in the summer of 1889, which was prior to the completion of the tower. Therefore, in the painting, the top part of the Eiffel Tower is missing and is seen as almost blending and disappearing into the atmosphere. This depiction adds a dreamy aspect to his painting. This painting is a clear reflection of Seurat’s association with Post-Impression, also known as Neo-Impressionism or Pointillism. In fact, it is important to note that Seurat pioneered the technique of Pointillism. Pointillism, like Cubism, was criticised initially but eventually products of Pointillism gained immense respect and works by artists like Georges Seurat became some of the most loved pieces of art. “Eiffel Tower” was one such painting by Seurat which was painted in the Post-Impressionist style. Seurat made use of tiny dots to create the picture of the Eiffel Tower. With the help of his sophisticated brushwork, he blurs together the dots to create a more concrete image of the Eiffel Tower. Furthermore, this painting is marked by Seurat’s use of vivid colours and his remarkable knowledge of geometry, which is commendable.