Foregrounding the anarchist ideas that lay at the heart of Neo-Impressionism
Following the history of anarchism in France from the mid-1880s to the first decade of the twentieth century, this book illustrates the profound relationship between the Neo-Impressionist artists and anarchist theorists in their shared pursuit of harmony. The artists featured in the book—including Paul Signac, Maximilien Luce, Camille Pissarro, and Théo van Rysselberghe—were members and supporters of the anarchist movement. The vision of anarchy to which the artists subscribed valued individual freedom alongside communal support. Inspired by their faith in art and humanity, they believed that their pointillist application of paint in complementary colors was capable of producing art so beautiful that it would uplift the minds of its viewers and lead to social and moral harmony. 
Among the topics that the book’s essays explore are: 

• The intersection of art and politics in the works of Maximilien Luce
• Paul Signac’s anarchist circle, through analysis of his letters 
• The visual culture of anarchy and the Neo-Impressionists’ role in the anarchist press
• Neo-Impressionist visions of anarchy as a harmonious utopia 

Distributed for the Art Gallery of Ontario