Young Woman Powdering Herself

In today's work, Georges Seurat, who is one of the leading examples of Pointillism, depicted his mistress Madeleine Knobloch. Their relationship was a secret until it was revealed when the painting was exhibited in 1890. They had a child who died at the age of one, not long after his father. Knobloch was given some of Seurat's paintings as an inheritance but she cut off all communication with his family after his death in 1891.

Since the painting was shown publicly the wall behind the young woman has always displayed a bamboo picture frame showing a vase of flowers. In 2014, using advanced image technology, a portrait of Seurat on an easel was discovered in the frame; the object on the wall is now believed to be a mirror. After showing the painting to a friend, Seurat painted over the portrait with a table and flowers. It is the only known self-portrait made by Seurat.

P.S. You have seen Seurat's famous A Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte, but do you know his Circus paintings? 

P.P.S. If you're hungry for more Pointillism and Seurat, please check our Post-Impressionism course in DailyArt Courses!