Architectural Motif; Double Acanthus Fleuron c. 1875

Georges Seurat made this drawing, Architectural Motif; Double Acanthus Fleuron, with graphite. Seurat’s Paris was a city undergoing massive transformation. Baron Haussmann, under Napoleon III, was redesigning the urban space in a way that prioritized commerce and state control, leading to the demolition of old neighborhoods and the displacement of many working-class people. Seurat's interest in architectural motifs, like this acanthus design, can be seen as a subtle commentary on this changing urban landscape. The acanthus leaf, a classical decorative element, symbolizes endurance and immortality. Within the context of Haussmann's renovations, Seurat's choice to depict this motif may reflect a longing for the old Paris or a statement about the enduring nature of art and culture amidst rapid change. The precision of the lines and attention to detail evoke a sense of order and stability, perhaps as a counterpoint to the chaos of the city's reconstruction. The very act of drawing these motifs could be seen as an emotional act of preservation and resistance.