Paste paper with overall pattern of red, blue, and yellow flowers 1800 - 1900

Editor: So, here we have an anonymous piece from between 1800 and 1900, called "Paste paper with overall pattern of red, blue, and yellow flowers," currently held at The Met. It gives off a very decorative, almost folk-art vibe, and it makes me think about textile design. What stands out to you most about it? Curator: The beauty of a repeating floral pattern, such as this one, resides not just in the visual pleasure it offers, but in its capacity to embody cultural continuity. Floral motifs, ubiquitous across civilizations, often serve as powerful symbols. What do these specific flowers, rendered in red, blue, and yellow, evoke for you? Do they align with a certain aesthetic sensibility? Editor: I guess I see the blues and reds as very traditional, like old tapestries or china patterns, but the yellow is almost jarring? Is there a particular symbolic resonance for these flowers, or colours during the period it was made? Curator: Indeed! Think about the "language of flowers" prevalent in the 19th century. Each bloom possessed a specific meaning. Red often signified passion, blue loyalty, and yellow...well, yellow could indicate jealousy or friendship depending on the cultural context. And consider that these patterns weren’t merely decorative; they permeated everyday life. Can you envision the societal impact of these repetitive forms shaping people's aesthetic values and desires? Editor: I never really thought of it that way. It's more than just a pretty pattern. These flowers must've carried weight! The symbolism behind such a ubiquitous motif must have deeply impacted those living amongst these designs. Thank you, that gives me a lot to consider. Curator: The deeper we look at the past, the better we grasp how much influence this imagery continues to exert on the present.