Dendrobium infundibulum 1885 - 1906

Curator: This watercolor drawing presents a captivating view of the "Dendrobium infundibulum", dating roughly between 1885 and 1906, and credited to Jean Jules Linden. Editor: It's almost aggressively pristine, isn’t it? Like peering into some idealized version of a flower, untouched by reality. But then again, isn’t all art a manipulation of reality? Curator: Absolutely! This depiction of the orchid resonates with symbolic purity, stemming from its stark white petals—a hue that has signified innocence and virtue across cultures for centuries. Editor: And the green—the vibrant, almost cartoonish green of the leaves? That speaks of growth, rebirth, all those familiar springtime metaphors. But also, in its intensity, something feels artificial, amplified…a kind of visual shout. Curator: That amplification speaks to the style. The clear rendering connects to naturalism, prioritizing an objective presentation. Note how Linden has focused on the specific features that classify this orchid species; there’s a scientific dimension. Yet, it leans toward impressionism due to the emotional resonance of the colours and composition. Editor: So, it's less about how the flower *is*, and more about the feeling of flower-ness. It hits you on a primal level, this promise of natural abundance and clean beauty. I wonder, did people perceive nature this way back then, or is it something we project onto it now? Curator: It is probably both, and also what endures from an aesthetic paradigm. The very act of painting the flower monumentalizes it and lifts it out of time. Through its forms and colours it speaks to cultural memory. Editor: I suppose, ultimately, that's what keeps us circling back to these images: the recognition of our own aspirations reflected back at us, filtered through petals and pigment. Curator: It’s true, and this is why reflecting upon a cultural symbol always helps reflect upon ourselves. Editor: Thanks! That really makes it resonate in a whole new way for me!