Stilleven met rozen en koolblad 1836 - 1892

Gerardina van de Sande Bakhuyzen captured this still life with roses and a cabbage leaf using watercolor. The roses, symbols of love and beauty, are juxtaposed with the cabbage leaf, an emblem of sustenance, in a fascinating dialogue. The rose, since ancient times, has been associated with Aphrodite and Venus, embodying desire and passion. We find the rose in Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," scattered around the goddess. Here, however, the rose is presented with the humble cabbage, a vegetable linked to domestic life. The duality of these two symbols invites contemplation. Observe how the vibrant roses contrast with the robust, earthy cabbage. The cabbage’s rough texture offers a grounded counterpoint to the ethereal beauty of the roses. This interplay touches something deep within our collective memory, evoking a sense of nature’s cycle and the continuous dance between beauty and the mundane. The artist captures a moment, yet this moment echoes through time.