DIVISIONISM. - The name of a particular painting technique connected with Impressionism and with scientific theories of colour. The principle on
which it is based is determined by the scientifically demonstrated fact that, by arranging in alternating fine filaments the complementary colours intended to form a given colour, these appear, to an observer placed at a certain distance, to merge, thus forming the desired colour, which otherwise would have resulted from the mixing of the colours themselves. On the other hand, colours so arranged retain a greater capacity for the refraction of light, whence the greater luminosity of the colour.
In practice, given the slow and minute technical process required and the difficulties arising from it, the effect aimed at is not always achieved, as is abundantly demonstrated not only by the works of the leading Italian Divisionists, such as Victor Grubicy, Gaetano Previati, Giuseppe Pelizza da Volpedo, Giovanni Segantini, Plinio Nomellini, etc., but also by those of the French pointillistes, whose technique is based on analogous principles. Emilio Lavagnino