Dreamer of Dreams by the Queen of Romania 

Edmund Dulac crafted this enchanting watercolor, "Dreamer of Dreams," illustrating a scene of ethereal beauty. At its heart, we see a woman adorned in white, set against a backdrop of a starlit night. She rides upon the backs of polar bears, holding an offering in her hand. The polar bear here is a symbol of strength and the untamed, yet we can see a similar animal motif in ancient Greek art, such as Europa riding the bull, a god in disguise. The dreamlike state is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. The figure’s flowing white gown hints at purity and otherworldly grace. The offering in her hand, glowing red, is reminiscent of the forbidden fruit, an archetypal symbol of knowledge and potential loss. The themes in this image are non-linear, cyclical progressions, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.