French Aritst Georges Seurat's "Circus Sideshow" at the MET

French artist Georges Seurat (b 1859-1891) is most famous for his large scale pointilism paintings.  The MET owns one of the 6 major works "Parade de Cirque" (1887-88) is the featured work in this thematical oriented exhibit of French works in the mid 19thC - to early 20th C pertaining the circus.  The collection of more than 100 paintings, drawings & posters illustrate the lives of circus performers and the audience they drew.  "Circus Sideshow" is aptly named & portrayed in this exhibit in which Seurat's paintings & crayon drawings are not necessarily featured centered ring.  Yet, this exhibit is fascinating for displaying Seurat's pre-occupation for capturing light in his works in what he termed "chromo-luminism;" an effectual sense of warmth or coolness invoked by contrasting or complimentary colors.  Many of Seurat's works (and they constitute about 50% of the show) were unfamiliar.  They demonstrate both a luminescence and shadowy casts.  The dingy shade of his crayon drawings have an eerie, mystical sensibility.  The works with more vibrant light radiate warmth & luminosity.  The subject matter in all Seurat circus themed works are both captivating and unsettling.  The life of the circus performer is not seen as glamorous but rather often times dismal.  In the crowds that flock to the shows it is fascinating to observe where their attention lies.  Most intriguing are the works (mostly posters) which draw the viewer into the event.  Many of Seurat's French contemporary artists are represented.  The surplus of cirque artworks is due in part to their marketability & the popularity of the traveling shows.  Other artists who shared a penchant for capturing harlequins, strongmen, freaks & dancing girls in the exhibit include Picasso, Henri Gabriel, George Rouault, Bonnard and Rembrandt.  The painting that steals the spotlight is Fernad Pelez's oil painting in 5 sections "Grimaces & Mercy."  The lifesize figures depict the aging, battle weary troupe and young, overworked circus children.   The "Circus Sideshow" is a curious look at life behind the scenes & in front of audiences of circus performers. Seurat's studies of characters & lighting are an interesting sidebar to Seurat's main events:  his 6 most important, large scale pointilism paintings such as "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte."  This famous painting is captured in part in one of Seurat's paintings shown inside the dressing room of female entertainers.