Kevin has edited encyclopedias, taught history, and has an MA in Islamic law/finance. He has since founded his own financial advice firm, Newton Analytical.
Pointillism: Definition, History & Artists
Pointillism
Originating with Impressionist masters, pointillism relies on using tiny dots of varying colors to create depth in a work of art. By doing so, the artist is able to create incredibly subtle variations in color that would have appeared otherwise clumsy. Especially popular during the 19th century, the style is considered part of the Post-Impressionist period, a movement that continued many of the ideals of Impressionism - namely the ability of the artist to place what appears in the mind's eye on canvas for the viewer.
Such an emphasis on color comes at a substantial cost in terms of shape and movement. Only a handful of works were able to avoid the appearance of stiltedness, and practically every Pointillist work looks posed, unlike many of the earlier Impressionist works, which seem to capture a moment of life untamed.

An error occurred trying to load this video.
Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support.
You must cCreate an account to continue watching
Register to view this lesson
As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you succeed.
Get unlimited access to over 84,000 lessons.
Try it nowAlready registered? Log in here for access
BackYou're on a roll. Keep up the good work!
Just checking in. Are you still watching?
Yes! Keep playing.Notable Pointillists
Georges Seurat
Perhaps the most famous of the Pointillists is Georges Seurat: a French artist who lived during the late 19th century. During his tragically short life - he died at age 31 - he served as one of the true pioneers of Pointillism.
Further, he combined considerable mastery of chromoluminarism, or the practice of leaving white spaces on the canvas between the dots, to create a level of light that was otherwise impossible. Among his most famous works is A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte.
![]() |
While the forms may look artificial, the color leaps off the canvas much like one would expect on a summer afternoon.
Paul Signac
Another prominent Pointillist was Paul Signac, famous for his travels throughout the Mediterranean. The bright colors possible with the pointillist technique lent itself very well to portraying the exotic images, at least by Parisian standards. Among his major works is The Grand Canal (Venice).
![]() |
Maximilian Luce
Maximilian Luce began his career as a typical Impressionist then ventured into Pointillist techniques for a greater exploration of color. His Morning, Interior demonstrates significant Impressionist leanings, especially with the detail given to create creases and wrinkles in the sheets on the bed.
![]() |
When compared to Seurat's work, there is considerable loss of color, but the viewer loses no great knowledge of Luce's vision due to his use of pointillism for more than just color. Not surprisingly, Luce returned to more traditional ways of exploring art through Impressionism later in his career.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh introduced another element to Pointillism in that he was able to display chilling emotion through the gaze he saw in the mirror, as evidenced by his Self Portrait.
![]() |
Note that as the viewer is drawn closer to the eyes of the artist, the practice of chromoluminarism is all but abandoned in the process of creating a dark and tormented soul. While van Gogh would abandon many of the tenets of Pointillism, he would continue to use the determined application of dots of color to add considerable depth.
Lesson Summary
Whereas other Impressionists, and indeed other Post-Impressionists, concerned themselves more with concepts such as shape, movement, and feeling, Pointillism, a 19th-century art movement, relied on tiny dots of colors to create depth in a work of art. And while the images produced may look somewhat stilted or artificial, the visceral reaction invoked by the emphasis of color is no less real. Famous Pointillist artists included Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Maximilian Luce, and even Vincent van Gogh.
To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member.
Create your account
Register to view this lesson
Unlock Your Education
See for yourself why 30 million people use Study.com
Become a Study.com member and start learning now.
Become a MemberAlready a member? Log In
BackPointillism: Definition, History & Artists
Related Study Materials
- Social Science Courses
- Anthropology Courses
- Study Courses
- Study Guide & Help Courses
- College Courses
- American Government Syllabus Resource & Lesson Plans
- AP US Government and Politics: Exam Prep
- UExcel Introduction to Sociology: Study Guide & Test Prep
- Introduction to Sociology Textbook
- Social Psychology for Teachers: Professional Development
- American Government Textbook
- Intro to Psychology Textbook
- Sociology 101: Intro to Sociology
- NY Regents Exam - Global History and Geography: Help and Review
- NY Regents Exam - US History and Government: Help and Review
- GED Social Studies: Civics & Government, US History, Economics, Geography & World
- Education 101: Foundations of Education
- ILTS Social Science - Geography (245): Test Practice and Study Guide
Browse by Courses
- Strategies for Counseling Students on Sexual Abuse
- Early River Valley Civilizations in Afro-Eurasia
- Early River Valley Civilizations in the Americas
- Comparing Historical Developments Across Time & Geography
- FTCE General Knowledge Test Essay Topics
- Quiz & Worksheet - Pestalozzi's Contributions to Education
- Quiz & Worksheet - Margaret Haley's Contribution to Education
- Quiz & Worksheet - Theories of Maria Montessori
- Quiz & Worksheet - Thomas Jefferson on Education
- Quiz & Worksheet - Impact of W.E.B. DuBois on Education
- Praxis I Reading: Evaluating Arguments and Reasoning
- Praxis I Reading: Word Choice and Language
- Praxis I Reading: Figurative Language and Nuance
- Praxis I Reading: Structure and Organization
- Praxis I Reading: Point of View
Browse by Lessons
- TExES Science of Teaching Reading (293): Practice & Study Guide
- Next Gen NCLEX-PN Study Guide & Practice
- Next Gen NCLEX-RN Study Guide & Practice
- TExES Core Subjects EC-6 (391): Practice & Study Guide
- TExES School Counselor (252): Practice & Study Guide
- Multithreading, Networking & Machine Learning in Python
- Digital Forensics
- The Internet of Things and Networking
- Network Routing and Switching
- Virtual Servers and Networking
- How to Pick Your Homeschool Curriculum
- Role of Student Support in Open & Distance Learning
- TExES Principal Exam Redesign (068 vs. 268)
- Teacher Salary by State
- ESL Resource Guide for Teachers
- What is a Homeschool Co-op?
- How to Start Homeschooling Your Children
Latest Courses
- Chemical Nomenclature & Notation
- Factors Impacting Family & Consumer Sciences
- Heritability Coefficient
- Major Health Problems in the United States
- Direct Impact of Two Smooth Bodies
- Transistor as an Amplifier & Oscillator
- Using Research to Select Interventions in Social Work
- What are Dinosaurs Related to? - Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Quiz & Worksheet - Types of Personality Disorders
- Quiz & Worksheet - Memory Hole in 1984
- Finding a Character's Emotions by Actions: Quiz & Worksheet for Kids
- Flashcards - Real Estate Marketing Basics
- Flashcards - Promotional Marketing in Real Estate
- Reading Comprehension Strategies & Resources for All Teachers
- 6th Grade Math Worksheets & Printables
Latest Lessons
- Advanced Excel Training: Help & Tutorials
- Business Calculus Syllabus & Lesson Plans
- High School US History: Homework Help Resource
- OSAT Middle Level Science (CEOE) (026): Practice & Study Guide
- Holt McDougal Economics - Concepts and Choices: Online Textbook Help
- AP Music Theory: Phrases & Forms
- ELM Test - Numbers and Data: Data & Statistics
- Quiz & Worksheet - Structure & Organization of National Political Parties
- Quiz & Worksheet - Density Concepts
- Quiz & Worksheet - Characteristics & History of Federalism in the US
- Quiz & Worksheet - The Electoral Evolution of the Congress
- Quiz & Worksheet - Procedural Rights of the Accused
Popular Courses
- How to Create a Table in an Excel Worksheet
- Making Reasonable & Informed Decisions on Public Issues
- Study.com's Workforce College Accelerator for Employees
- Great Depression Lesson Plan
- Sink or Float Lesson Plan
- Math Brain Teasers for Kids
- Egg Drop Experiment Lesson Plan
- 4th Grade Word Walls
- How to Pass the STAAR Test
- How to Pass the TABE Test
- Magna Carta Lesson Plan
- How to Prep for the NYS English Regents Exam
Popular Lessons
Math
Social Sciences
Science
Business
Humanities
Education
History
Art and Design
Tech and Engineering
- Tech and Engineering - Videos
- Tech and Engineering - Quizzes
- Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers
Health and Medicine
- What is the difference between divisionism and pointillism?
- What is pointillism in painting?
- Who created pointillism art?
- Where did pointillism originate?
- What is pointillism in music?
- What does pointillism mean?
- When did pointillism start?
- 1) When you look at white light through the diffraction grating, you see the visible spectrum, beginning with violet (small angle) and ending with red (larger angle). Explain why the spectrum is seen
- Was pointillism created by Georges Seurat?
- When did Georges Seurat die?
Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons
- Create a Goal
- Create custom courses
- Get your questions answered