Paul Signac

Paul Signac (1863–1935) was a leading French painter and an influential proponent of Neo-Impressionism, whose career helped shape the direction of modern art in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Paris, Signac initially trained as an architect before committing to painting in 1882, inspired by an exhibition of Claude Monet’s work. His early canvases reflected Impressionist influences, but his artistic trajectory shifted dramatically after meeting Georges Seurat in 1884. The encounter led to his adoption of Divisionism — a method of applying pure, separated colours in small, regular strokes to achieve luminous optical effects — which he and Seurat developed into Pointillism.

Signac was not only a painter but also an articulate theorist. His 1899 treatise, From Eugène Delacroix to Neo-Impressionism, codified the principles of colour theory and composition that underpinned the movement, linking their innovations to Romantic and Impressionist predecessors. While Seurat’s career was cut short, Signac continued to refine and expand Pointillism, applying it to radiant seascapes, harbour scenes and landscapes painted across France and the Mediterranean.

A passionate sailor, Signac often depicted ports and coastal vistas, using their geometric rigging, reflections and sunlight as a framework for his chromatic experiments. He was also a committed anarchist, viewing art as a means of social renewal. As president of the Société des Artistes Indépendants from 1908 until his death, he championed avant-garde painters including Matisse. Today, Signac is remembered as both a master of colour and a vital bridge between Impressionism and modern abstraction.

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

L’Arc-en-ciel (Venise)

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Concarneau. Thonier au port

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

La Rochelle. Sortie du port

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Saint-Raphäel

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Samois. Étude n° 11

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Marseille. Le vieux port

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Groix. Thoniers au port

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Trois-mâts terre-neuvas. Voiles au sec. Saint-Malo

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Étude pour 'Au temps d'Harmonie' (le joueur de boules penché)

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Concarneau, calme du matin (Opus no. 219, larghetto)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Le Port au soleil couchant, Opus 236 (Saint-Tropez)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Cassis. Cap Canaille

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

La Corne d'Or, Constantinople

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Portrieux. La Comtesse (Opus no. 191)

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Calanque des Canoubiers (Pointe de Bamer), Saint-Tropez

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

La Corne d'Or, les minarets

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Constantinople (Corne d'Or)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Antibes (la pinède)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

La Corne d'or (Constantinople)

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Les tours vertes, la Rochelle

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Marseille, le port

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Sainte-Anne (Saint-Tropez)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Cherbourg. Fort du Roule

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

La Cité, Paris

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

La Baie (Saint-Tropez)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Le Musior (Port d'Antibes)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Les bricks-goélettes. Antibes

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Vieux port de Cannes

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Les Allées, Cannes

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Saint-Tropez, fontaine des Lices

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Samois, La Berge, matin

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Le jardin du Vert-Galant

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Venise. Le Rédempteur

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Marseille, la brume jaune

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Le Pont de Viviers

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

La Cité. Paris

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Marché de Vérone (La place aux herbes)

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Antibes. Petit port de Bacon

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Moulin d'Edam

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Port d'Antibes

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Viaduc à Auteuil

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Les Andelys. Matin. Été

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Les Andelys. Soleil couchant, Opus 135

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Les Diablerets (L'Oldenhorn et le Bécabesson)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Le Sardinier, Locmalo (Les Tourelles)

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Bateaux, Ponton des bains (Opus no. 96) ( recto ); Vue du quai de la Tournelle ( verso )

PAUL SIGNAC (1863-1935)

Port-en-Bessin, L'avant-port

Paul Signac (1863-1935)

Fécamp, temps gris