Art enthusiasts and Francophiles alike will have a rare opportunity to experience the maritime works of Georges Seurat as London’s prestigious Courtauld Gallery presents the first UK exhibition dedicated to the artist’s seascapes in almost three decades.
Opening February 13, 2026, “Seurat and the Sea” promises to showcase approximately 23 paintings, oil sketches, and drawings created during the artist’s summer sojourns along the English Channel between 1885 and 1890. For those unfamiliar with Seurat, he’s the master behind the Neo-Impressionist technique of pointillism, where images are created through tiny dots of pure color placed side by side.
The Courtauld, which already houses the UK’s largest collection of Seurat’s works, has secured impressive loans from major institutions worldwide, including New York’s Museum of Modern Art, Paris’s Musée d’Orsay, and London’s own National Gallery. This gathering of Seurat’s maritime works represents a unique opportunity to see pieces rarely displayed together.
The exhibition will transport visitors to the bustling ports and serene coastlines of northern France, where Seurat spent his summers escaping Paris’s studio life. In his own words, he sought “to wash his eyes of the days spent in the studio and to translate in the most faithful manner the bright clarity, in all its nuances.” The artist captured the vibrant maritime life of ports such as Honfleur, Port-en-Bessin, and Gravelines, creating luminous works that showcase his revolutionary technique.
The timing couldn’t be better for the Courtauld, following their recent triumph with the Monet and London exhibition, which drew a record-breaking 120,000 visitors. The gallery had to extend its opening hours to meet unprecedented demand, suggesting that “Seurat and the Sea” might see similar enthusiasm.
For London visitors and residents, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into Seurat’s genius. The artist’s tragically early death at 31 means his body of work is relatively small, making comprehensive exhibitions of his art particularly special. The Courtauld’s show will provide an unprecedented opportunity to study an often-overlooked aspect of his career – his fascination with the sea and maritime life.
Planning Your Visit:
- Location: The Denise Coates Exhibition Galleries, The Courtauld Gallery
- Dates: February 13 – May 17, 2026
- Tickets: To be released later in 2025
- Exhibition Catalogue: Will be available for purchase
The exhibition continues the Courtauld’s impressive run of Impressionist shows, following successful exhibitions on Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Monet. Given the gallery’s track record and the rarity of Seurat exhibitions, early booking is likely to be essential when tickets become available.
For art lovers planning their 2026 London trips, this exhibition should be considered a must-see event. The Courtauld’s intimate gallery spaces provide the perfect setting for close examination of Seurat’s meticulous technique, while the focused theme of seascapes offers a unique perspective on one of art history’s most innovative painters.