Waistcoat c. 1936

This waistcoat was designed by Bessie Forman and shows delicate floral patterns made with watercolor and graphite. Here, the repeated floral motif is not merely decorative. It is a primal expression of life, mirroring the regenerative cycles found in nature and deeply rooted in cultural memory. This echo of flora hearkens back to ancient symbols of fertility and renewal, seen across civilizations from the garlands of ancient Greece to the symbolic gardens of Persia. Think of Botticelli’s "Primavera," where flowers burst forth, embodying the very essence of spring and rebirth. Such imagery touches on our collective unconscious, where floral motifs evoke feelings of hope and the cyclical nature of existence. Even in the darkest of times, they remind us of the ever-present possibility of renewal. Floral patterns recur in various art forms throughout history, illustrating the enduring power of these symbols to engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level.