Twee soorten hyacinten 1617

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger rendered these two types of hyacinths with ink in the 17th century. The hyacinth, named after the Greek mythical youth, becomes a symbol of rebirth and beauty, yet also carries a melancholy associated with premature death. In classical antiquity, flowers were offerings to gods and symbols in funerary rites; these associations evolved through the Renaissance, appearing in various symbolic contexts. We see echoes of these traditions in later art, where the inclusion of flowers can subtly evoke themes of mortality and renewal. Consider how this flower, so delicate, yet so deeply rooted in tales of transformation, mirrors our own fleeting existence and the continuous cycle of life and death. The hyacinth, therefore, becomes a poignant emblem, engaging our emotions.