Pointillade

Pointillade is a term used in art to describe a specific technique of applying paint or other media in small, distinct dots. These dots are applied in patterns to form an image. When viewed from a distance, the individual dots optically blend together to create a cohesive picture. This effect relies on the viewer's perception, where the colors of the dots intermingle in the eye.

The technique is most famously associated with Neo-Impressionism, a late 19th-century art movement. Georges Seurat is credited with developing and popularizing Pointillism as a scientific approach to color theory and optical mixing. He and Paul Signac were the leading proponents of this style, seeking to create more luminous and stable paintings than the Impressionists. They were influenced by contemporary scientific studies of light and color, such as those by Michel Eugène Chevreul and Ogden Rood.

Pointillist artists meticulously applied dots of pure color to the canvas. They would select colors that, when placed next to each other, would create a desired hue or tonal value through optical blending. For example, to create green, they might place dots of blue and yellow side by side, rather than mixing green paint directly. This method aimed to achieve a greater vibrancy and luminosity than traditional brushwork. While Pointillism is the most recognized term, related terms like Divisionism are also used, often referring to the underlying theory of separating colors. The practice requires significant patience and precision from the artist.