First exhibition devoted to the seascapes of Georges Seurat opens at the Courtauld Gallery

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The Courtauld Gallery presents the first-ever exhibition devoted to the seascapes of French painter Georges Seurat (1859–1891) from 13 February to 17 May 2026. The first UK exhibition devoted to Seurat in almost 30 years, The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Seurat and the Sea brings together the largest group of these works ever assembled, 26 in total, offering a detailed look at a significant part of Seurat’s production.

Seurat is best known for developing a radical new technique of painting with dots of pure colour, which gave birth to Neo-Impressionism. This exhibition charts the evolution of Seurat’s highly original and distinctive style through the recurring motif of the sea, reuniting for the first time a major group of 26 works—paintings, oil sketches and drawings—created over five summer trips to the northern coast of France between 1885 and 1890. A particular highlight is the presentation of the complete series of paintings made in Port-en-Bessin in 1888 and Gravelines in 1890.

Due to his early death at the age of 31, Seurat has a very small body of works and exhibitions devoted to him are rare. Over the course of his short career, he produced more views of the Channel coast than any other type of picture. Working along the coast, in Grandcamp, Honfleur, Port-en-Bessin, Le Crotoy and Gravelines, Seurat captured views out to sea as well as of harbours and ports. They show a different side to an artist better known for paintings of leisure in Paris and its suburbs. In contrast, these quiet and contemplative seascapes are an exploration of light in open spaces often devoid of people. They represented for Seurat a return to nature that enabled him to develop his technique. He sought, in his words, ‘to cleanse one’s eyes of the days spent in the studio [in Paris] and translate in the most faithful manner the bright light, in all its nuances’.

This exhibition includes loans from major private collections and public institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia; the Baltimore Museum of Art; the Indianapolis Museum of Art; the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; the Musée d’Orsay Paris; the Musée des Beaux-Arts de la Ville de Tournai; the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo; the National Gallery, Prague; Tate, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the National Gallery, London.

The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Seurat and the Sea follows major Impressionist exhibitions at the Courtauld Gallery, such as The Morgan Stanley Exhibition: Van Gogh. Self-Portraits and, most recently, the acclaimed The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Monet and London. Views of the Thames, which was seen by a record 120,000 visitors.

The exhibition is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated catalogue, showcasing the results of research on Seurat’s seascapes and their importance in his oeuvre.

The exhibition’s Title Supporter is Griffin Catalyst, the civic engagement initiative of Citadel Founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin.

The Griffin Catalyst Exhibition: Seurat and the Sea
13 February – 17 May 2026
https://courtauld.ac.uk/whats-on/exh-seurat-and-the-sea/

Tickets for 13 February– 12 April 2026 are now on sale.

Courtauld Members can enjoy the exhibition without the crowds at a preview on Thursday 12 February, 14:00 – 18:00, and also get free unlimited entry to all exhibitions, access to presale tickets, priority booking to selected events, advance notice of art history short courses, exclusive events, discounts and more. Join at courtauld.ac.uk/friends

Relaxed openings
There will be two relaxed exhibition openings on Wednesday 8 April and Tuesday 5 May 2026 between 10:00 – 10:30. Our relaxed openings provide a quieter moment to enjoy the exhibition, with additional support and facilities from our friendly team.

Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN
Opening hours: 10.00 – 18.00 (last entry 17.15), and until 20:00

Temporary Exhibition tickets (including entry to our Permanent Collection and displays) – Tickets from £18. Friends and Under-18s go free. Other concessions available.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Courtauld
www.courtauld.ac.uk/gallery/press
media@courtauld.ac.uk

Bolton & Quinn
Erica Bolton | erica@boltonquinn.com | +44 (0)20 7221 5000
Daisy Taylor | daisy@boltonquinn.com | +44 (0)20 7221 5000

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NOTES TO EDITORS

Courtauld
The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally renowned centre for the teaching and research of art history and a major public gallery. Founded by collectors and philanthropists in 1932, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, the renowned collection and inspiring exhibitions of its gallery, and engaging and accessible activities, education and events.

The Courtauld Gallery cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, presenting these works to the public at the Courtauld Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces – such as Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. It showcases these alongside an internationally renowned collection of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through to the present day.

Academically, the Courtauld Institute is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and conducting research on subjects ranging from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital art forms – with an increasingly global focus. An independent college of the University of London, the Courtauld offers a range of degree programmes from BA to PhD in the History of Art, curating, art and business and the conservation of easel and wall paintings. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries.

Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, the Courtauld works to increase understanding of the role of art throughout history, across all societies and geographies, and to champion its importance in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering a chance to look closely at world-famous works; events bringing art history research to new audiences; accessible short courses; digital engagement, innovative school, family, and community programmes; or taking a formal qualification. The Courtauld’s ambition is to transform access to art history education, ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from the tools it offers to better understand the visual world around us.

The Courtauld is an exempt charity and relies on generous philanthropic support to achieve its mission of advancing the understanding of the visual arts of the past and present across the world through advanced research, innovative teaching, inspiring exhibitions, programmes and collections.

The collection cared for by the Courtauld Gallery is owned by the Samuel Courtauld Trust.

About Griffin Catalyst
Griffin Catalyst is the civic engagement initiative of Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth C. Griffin, encompassing his philanthropic and community impact efforts. Tackling the world’s greatest challenges in innovative, action-oriented, and evidence-driven ways, Griffin Catalyst is dedicated to expanding opportunity and improving lives across six areas of focus: Education, Science & Medicine, Upward Mobility, Freedom & Democracy, Enterprise & Innovation, and Communities. For more information, visit griffincatalyst.org.