Genève

Discussion

FROM THE BARNES FOUNDATION’S CATALOG

Signac shows a view of Geneva from its lake, spotlighting the lofty cathedral spires and offsetting violet walls of buildings and mountains against the pale yellow sky. Signac's painting technique separates colors according to rules of optical contrast. This technique was meant to echo the structures of material reality and of Gothic engineering. The Gothic element further expresses the artist's sociopolitical ideals: he and his peers believed that Gothic cities had been near-communist utopias of moral and social harmony and hoped that their paintings would inspire viewers to the same values.

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