Question

Which artists apply colors in small brush strokes, making their paintings lively depictions when seen from a distance?

Answer 1

Well Van Gogh is a huge contributor to this one. You should check out his work. His really popular painting "Starry Night" uses this technique. 
Tons of impressionists did their work this way, so they could get all of the details.
Claud Monet, Charles Angrand, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and many many more artists used this.
To find more just look up impressionist artists.