The Circus is famously known as Georges Seurat's final work before his death in March 1891. Its subject matter is that of the circus, the presence of which increased rapidly towards the end of the 19th century.
Despite being unfinished, the work was still exhibited in the 7th Salon des Independents and courted a great deal of controversy due to its similarity to posters by French painter Jules Chéret and many accused the painter of plagiarism. Seurat's The Circus has been noted as bearing marked similarities to Chéret's posters for the Spectacle-Promenade de l'Horloge. The work has subsequently been proven by art historian Meyer Schapiro, to resemble an anonymous poster printed for the Nouveau Cirque in 1888.
Circuses in France in the 19th century were a spectacle to behold and their menagerie of performers inspired the Impressionists. Such performers often included giants, elephants riding cycles and daring acrobatic acts. The success of circuses in France meant that by 1870 there were five permanent circuses situated in Paris that performed every night.
The difference between circus performers in cities such as London was that in Paris they were awarded much more respect. Such respect had led many of their scenes to be depicted in famous paintings and stories. Seurat's The Circus is one of such works.
One of the most popular circuses of the time and one which Seurat more than likely witnessed was the Cirque Fernando in Montmartre, famous for attracting poets and painters alike. The circus offered a level of intimacy to its performance which could not be replicated anywhere else, curtsey of its steeped seating plan and small arena.
Although unfinished, Seurat's The Circus captures the emotion and movement of one portion of a circus scene. The clown at the front of the piece stands out with white make-up-clad skin against scarlet hair and dress. The smartly dressed ringmaster to the right is placed just in front of a menagerie of clowns and an acrobat who is jumping in front of him. The focal point of the piece is the young woman who is boldly riding the wild white horse to the left-center of the work.
The performer could possibly have been one of the circus world's most prolific acts of the time: Mazeppa's ride. The entire piece contains a great deal of action but perhaps the most eye-catching is this daring act.
Georges Seurat himself did not live to see his work for the duration of its exhibition, but the fact that it was exhibited even in its incomplete form said a great deal about his stature amongst his fellow Impressionists.