Focus on this artwork and explain the Reception.
Le Cirque was first exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants in March 1891, in an unfinished state.  The work remained unfinished at Seurat's death a few days later: in places, the white ground and a grid of blue lines used by Seurat to create his composition are still visible.  Early critics complained that the subjects were stiff, like automatons.  Others later saw it as a forerunner of Cubism.
The painting was returned to Seurat's mother after the exhibition in 1891, and she hung it in the room in the Boulevard de Magenta where he had died.  The painting was acquired by Paul Signac around 1900, and then by American collector John Quinn, who donated the painting to the Louvre in 1927.  It was exhibited at the Musée du Luxembourg, the Musée National d'Art Moderne and the Galerie du Jeu de Paume.  It has been located at the Musée d'Orsay since 1977.
Musée d'Orsay Paul Signac John Quinn the Louvre Galerie du Jeu de Paume Cubism Boulevard de Magenta Musée du Luxembourg Musée National d'Art Moderne Salon des Indépendants