Envoi de fleurs c. 1800 - 1900

This is "Envoi de Fleurs," or "Sending Flowers," a print by an anonymous artist depicting a woman with flowers. The rose, so central here, has long symbolized love and beauty. We see the motif of the rose echoed through time, from ancient Roman festivals dedicated to Flora, the goddess of flowers, where roses were strewn, to their prominent role in Renaissance paintings, signifying love and often associated with Venus. Yet, consider the shift. The medieval allegories of courtly love gave way to a more nuanced understanding of human affections. In the Victorian era, roses, like all flowers, were laden with specific meanings in the language of flowers, a secret code of communication. Observe the woman’s gesture, almost offering the roses. It's a potent, recurring symbol, not just of beauty but of ephemeral nature. Perhaps, subconsciously, it speaks to our collective memories of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of beauty itself. In the end, the image’s emotive power engages us, drawing us into a non-linear dance with the past, resonating with deeply embedded human experiences.