The Azalea Garden 

Arthur Sarnoff painted this azalea garden, capturing a moment suspended between the classical and the modern. At its heart, a fountain with a playful dolphin motif becomes a key to unlocking deeper meanings. The dolphin, a symbol laden with historical weight, has journeyed through time from ancient Greece, where it represented guidance and protection, particularly for sailors. We see echoes of this in Roman mosaics and Renaissance fountains, where dolphins often accompany figures like Neptune, god of the sea. Yet, here, the dolphin seems to carry a lighter note, almost whimsical. This evolution speaks to our collective memory. The dolphin’s transformation from a sacred emblem to a decorative figure reflects how symbols adapt, influenced by our ever-changing cultural and psychological landscape. The lady gazes at this ancient symbol, perhaps unknowingly drawn to its deep subconscious roots. The fountain's gentle splash mirrors the ebb and flow of memory itself, a powerful reminder of how symbols connect us across time.