The exhibition Seurat and the Sea at The Courtauld Gallery, located inside the magnificent Somerset House in London, offers visitors a double discovery.
On one hand, it reveals the genius of Georges Seurat, a pioneering artist whose innovative approach to colour and light transformed modern painting. On the other, it provides the perfect opportunity to explore one of London’s most beautiful historic buildings and art collection.
Today, DOYOUSPEAKLONDON invites you to experience not only the genius of Seurat but also the timeless beauty of The Courtauld Gallery within Somerset House!
Seurat’s seascapes: light, colour, and calm
Seurat and the Sea gave me the chance to discover a lesser-known side of Georges Seurat: his seascapes.
Seurat like you’ve never seen him
I didn’t know much about Seurat’s work beyond his most famous painting, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, and I hadn’t seen any of the pieces on display in this exhibition before.
At The Courtauld Gallery, the exhibition brings together paintings, sketches, and drawings from the summers Seurat spent along the northern coast of France in the late 19th century, capturing the subtle light and calm beauty of seaside life.
In towns like Honfleur, Port-en-Bessin, and Gravelines, Seurat captured the subtle changes of light on the water. His famous pointillist technique (tiny dots of pure colour that blend in the eye) makes these scenes glow with light and colour.
I was struck by the calm of the harbours and the simplicity of seaside life, with very few people appearing in the scenes.
At the same time, Seurat’s compositions could be surprising: he would crop part of a building or a boat, he might place a bush in the middle, partially obstructing the view in a way that felt almost modern, or he'd place birds at the edge of the painting.
Honestly, some of these choices feel surprisingly modern, almost like photography, which gives Seurat’s 19th-century works a fresh, contemporary vibe!
Why Seurat still fascinates today
Seurat’s work continues to fascinate because of his unique combination of scientific precision and artistic sensitivity.
His subtle, sometimes unconventional choices (like cropping parts of buildings, boats, or birds) give the paintings a surprising sense of immediacy and movement. Even today, his work feels remarkably modern, showing how he experimented with perspective, framing, and light/colours in ways that resonate with contemporary viewers.
Having died at only 31, every surviving piece is precious, and exhibitions like this are rare. Seurat and the Sea is a wonderful chance to see a thoughtful, more peaceful side of the artist, far from the bustling streets of Paris.
2. The Courtauld Gallery
The Courtauld Gallery: a timeless blend of art and architecture
Visiting the exhibition is also a chance to experience the remarkable The Courtauld Gallery.
Housed within the historic Somerset House, this grand neoclassical building was designed in the late 18th century by the architect Sir William Chambers.
The Courtauld Gallery also has an amazing permanent collection that spans centuries, from medieval works to Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces.
I always enjoy strolling through the gallery and discovering treasures from all periods of art.
Even better, it’s free to visit, so you can wander through incredible art without worrying about tickets!
Stunning staircases
As you wander through the gallery, do not miss the graceful staircases! They were built with broad landings (what Sir William Chambers called “stations of repose”) so visitors could pause and enjoy the architecture as they moved between floors.
I’m completely obsessed with these staircases and can’t resist snapping a photo every time I visit!
With its sweeping steps and broad landings, it’s elegant and perfectly proportioned, making the climb feel like part of the gallery experience rather than just a way to get upstairs.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post and found inspiration here. If you are planning to explore The Courtauld Gallery or visit the Seurat exhibition soon,please share your experience and opinion on DOYOUSPEAKLONDON!
Explore my other top museum/art recommendations here and uncover even more hidden cultural gems across London!
Everything you need to know about The Courtauld Gallery:
The Courtauld Gallery: Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN
Website
Seurat and the Sea: 13 February – 17 May 2026
Permanent collection: Free to visit (permanent displays and Courtauld collection)
