Stokroos 1617

This engraving of a Stokroos, or hollyhock, was made by Crispijn van de Passe the Younger in the 17th century. The hollyhock, with its tall, stately stem and vibrant flowers, was often associated with ambition and fertility. But look closer. The depiction of flowers, including the hollyhock, can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where they were often used in religious ceremonies, as symbols of regeneration. Like the phoenix rising from ashes, flowers are reborn each spring, and they carry a powerful message of renewal. In medieval times, flowers took on Christian symbolism, and, through the Renaissance, floral motifs became a way for artists to express complex ideas about life, death, and spirituality. Notice how the flowers are arranged, directing the viewer's eye upward. This evokes a sense of longing and aspiration, reflecting our primal, subconscious connection to the natural world. A connection that repeats itself through different times and cultures.