Geranium varium 1787 - 1788

François Hubert masterfully rendered this Geranium varium with watercolor, ink and graphite. Note the precise arrangement, characteristic of botanical studies: the plant in full bloom, accompanied by detailed analyses of its components at the bottom. The geranium, beyond its delicate beauty, has been a recurring motif throughout history. In Victorian England, giving a geranium implied the giver's determination in friendship. Yet, if we reach further back into the Renaissance, flowers were frequently incorporated into portraiture and allegorical works, each bloom chosen for its symbolic weight. Recall Botticelli's "Primavera," where myriad flowers are scattered, each contributing to the rich tapestry of meaning. Here, Hubert's careful rendering invites us to reflect on the enduring human fascination with the natural world. A silent, yet powerful dialogue of the heart.