Division of class and hierarchy in Paris, France
- There is an array of characters in this show, many of which from different classes. An interesting question would be is the boatman viewed better than the artist George. How would a shopgirl differ from a maid in a house.
The art world of 1860s, impressionism vs. pointillism
- Impressionism was the popular form of art and painting at the time. Doerge Seurat was discovering a new form of painting that heightens the look of color and light. It is important to know the difference between them to fully comprehend the play.
- http://www.impressionism.org/ as well as http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/jatte.html and http://library.thinkquest.org/J0110603/pointillism.html
The industrial revolution, the Eiffel Tower
- France was the artistic hub of the world. Industrialization had a slow start in this country. But by the 1860s it was in full swing. George Seurat found the change to be beautiful. The erection of the Eiffel Tower (referred to in the show by the Old Lady as "that foolish tower) made Paris, France the envy of the entire world.
- http://www.erih.net/industrial-history/france.html and http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0213201/Eiffel%20tower.htm
The real life of George Seurat vs. the fiction of the play
- The life of George Seurat is very different than what is presented in the stage play. There are many parallels but nothing is true to form. The musical is based upon the finished painting rather than his life itself.
- http://www.georgesseurat.org/
The art world of the mid 1980s
- The boom of commercial art had already taken place. The George of the second act lives in this world and must function of this world as well as comment on it. To fully understand his argument for or against modern commercial art, you must first know what it was in the first place.
- http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ap80/hd_ap80.htm and http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/565.aspx
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