When did Seurat begin the painting ?
The critic and friend of Seurat , Félix Fénéon waited many years before commenting , ‘ Though I did not commit myself in writing , I then [ " in 1884 " ] completely realised the importance of this painting . ‘ For many years , " Bathers at Asnières " remained in the possession of Seurat ’s family , and in 1900 the work was purchased by Felix Fénéon .