French painter who was virtually self taught.   A Neo-Impressionist and close associate of Georges Seurat he developed with him the technique known as pointillism, or divisionism, which uses small dots or strokes of contrasting color to create subtle changes in form.   Many of his works are landscapes where he was able to use this technique to the full.   As President of the annual Salon des Independants from 1908 to1934 he actively encouraged young artists and their controversial works in Fauvism and Cubism.