Beach with Sunflowers and Umbrellas 1979

Maria Bozoky created this watercolor, "Beach with Sunflowers and Umbrellas", sometime during the 20th century. The vibrant sunflowers command our attention, a symbol of adoration and longevity, reaching skyward, as they have since antiquity. These sunflowers echo the sun-worshipping rituals of ancient cultures, from the Egyptians who revered the life-giving power of Ra, to the Greeks who told stories of Clytie and her unrequited love for Apollo. The sunflower's form mirrors the sun, a potent image found in countless mythologies, representing enlightenment and spiritual vision. Even the umbrellas, shielding from the sun’s intensity, suggest a dance between protection and exposure, reflecting our complex relationship with forces both nurturing and potentially overwhelming. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, symbols such as the sunflower provide a reminder of a non-linear cultural progression.