Madame Seurat, the Artist’s Mother 1882 - 1883

This is a conté crayon drawing of Madame Seurat by her son, Georges, an intimate portrayal rendered with delicate strokes. The downward gaze is a common motif, found across centuries, from depictions of the Virgin Mary in early Christian art to Renaissance portraits. In these earlier works, it often symbolizes humility and contemplation, a turning inward. Yet, here, the lowered eyes might speak more to the universal experience of aging, the introspection that comes with time, and the subtle surrendering to gravity's pull. Consider also the ‘Ecce Homo’ images, where Christ is presented with bowed head. Here, Madame Seurat becomes Everywoman, bearing the weight and wisdom of her years. The image taps into a deep, collective memory, evoking a sense of shared human experience that transcends time. It is a powerful symbol, engaging us on a subconscious level with themes of mortality and remembrance. The cyclical progression of the bowed head as a symbol continues, resurfacing and evolving across contexts.