Seated Woman with a Parasol (study for La Grande Jatte)

Georges Seurat (French) 1884/85 Between 1884 and 1885, Georges Seurat dedicated himself to his most ambitious painting, "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte—1884," which now holds a central place in the Art Institute's collection of 19th-century French painting. The creation of this large canvas involved extensive preparatory work, primarily manifested in two categories: small compositional sketches and color studies on wooden panels, and detailed Conté crayon drawings. These studies delved into both the empty landscape and the forms of specific figures or groups. This contemplative drawing by Seurat focuses on developing the expressive contours of a seated female figure holding a parasol, a central element that would later occupy a prominent position in the completed painting. The preparatory studies showcase Seurat's meticulous approach to capturing the nuances of form and expression in anticipation of the grand composition that would become a masterpiece. Make a statement in any room wit