International Journal of Art and Art History

Expressing Gestures and Emotions: Use of Lines in Georges Seurat’s Paintings
Seulkee Kang, Sungju Woo

Abstract
This study is an attempt to prove whether it is possible to express and perceive emotions by analyzing patterns and styles through the use of lines in drawing. Despite an unquestionable presence of colors in measuring emotional response, lines predominantly affect visual perception as a fundamental element of information transfer. In visual perception, lines not only convey information, but also derive emotional responses. From such a perspective, this study, as a fundamental analysis for measuring emotional responses to drawings, aims to concentrate on investigating lines rather than simultaneously coping with them. Earnestly interested in researching how various disciplines including science could help further awaken an artistic instinct, Georges Seurat (1859-1891), by employing lines, initiated an interdisciplinary experiment aimed at revealing emotion and gesticulation. Inspired by his strenuous attempt, this study strives to analyze the effective and rhythmical use of lines in Seurat‘s paintings, and compare the relationship between visual perception of lines and corresponding emotions.

Full Text: PDF       DOI: 10.15640/ijaah.v6n1a10