Madonna of the Carnation 1515

Bernardino Luini painted this Madonna and Child, known as the "Madonna of the Carnation," around 1510-1520 using oil on wood. The Madonna gazes tenderly upon the Christ child, who holds a carnation. In this era, the carnation was a symbol of divine love, incarnation, and passion, due to its red color. The flower could also reference Mary's pure love and foreshadow Christ's sacrifice. We see similar floral symbolism in earlier works, such as lilies representing purity in Annunciation scenes. These motifs tap into our collective memory, evoking profound emotions tied to motherhood, love, and sacrifice. Luini masterfully uses these symbols to engage viewers on a deep, subconscious level, reminding us of the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. These symbols resurface across time, constantly evolving and taking on new meanings.