The Miracle of the Flowers of Saint Casilda 1856 - 1858

Mariano Fortuny Marsal sketched this scene of Saint Casilda’s miracle, using delicate washes of watercolor. At its heart, it depicts a transformative moment as bread turns to flowers. Here, we observe the motif of concealing, hiding sustenance only for it to bloom into something unexpectedly beautiful. This resonates with countless tales where hidden acts of kindness blossom into revelation, seen even in pagan myths. The motif echoes in Renaissance paintings of secretive charitable acts; think of saints discreetly providing for the poor, their deeds cloaked in humility. Over time, this symbol has evolved, surfacing in diverse cultural narratives, from folklore to modern literature. The act of concealment may tap into the collective subconscious; our innate understanding that true goodness often lies hidden, waiting to bloom. Like the slow, cyclical unfolding of a flower.