Cornflowers 

Stefan Luchian’s painting presents an arrangement of cornflowers and daisies in a rustic vase. Here, the cornflower, a seemingly simple bloom, is laden with symbolic weight. Historically, it adorned the fields of Europe, a tenacious symbol of rural life and resilience, its blue echoing the vast skies above. Yet, this humble flower carries echoes of royalty, too. In Prussia, it became a symbol of national identity, adopted by Queen Louise, a potent emblem of resistance during times of political turmoil. This transformation reminds us of how symbols can evolve, their meanings layered and reshaped by historical events. Like the serpent, which in antiquity represented wisdom and healing, only to become a sign of evil after the fall of man. Luchian, with his delicate brushstrokes, taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations. His cornflowers transcend mere botanical representation, evoking a sense of longing for simpler times. They are a reminder of the enduring power of nature to evoke profound emotion. A power that resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.