The artwork titled “The Milliner” was created by the artist Paul Signac in the year 1885. This piece is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 81 by 100 centimeters. It is a genre painting, meaning it depicts a scene from everyday life. Signac executed this work in the Pointillism style, which is closely associated with the broader Neo-Impressionist movement. The artwork is part of the collection of the E.G. Bührle Foundation located in Zürich, Switzerland.
“The Milliner” showcases two figures, presumably a customer and a milliner, engaged in the selection and fitting of hats, a common thematic element in genre painting. The composition reveals the meticulous application of small, distinct dots of color, a hallmark of the Pointillism technique. The painter has rendered the scene with attention to fine detail; from the patterns on the wallpaper to the texture of the fabrics and the hats on display. The figures are absorbed in their task, offering viewers a glimpse into the millinery profession of the period. The artist’s signature can be seen on the lower right, anchoring the piece within Signac’s body of work. The use of light and shadow, along with the vibrant, yet harmonious color palette, underscores Signac’s mastery of the Pointillist approach and contributes to the overall effect of vibrancy and liveliness within the quiet concentration of the scene.
