Jonge vrouw getooid met bloemenkrans 1659 - 1740

This engraving by Jan van der Bruggen, made around the turn of the 18th century, depicts a young woman adorned with a garland of flowers. This wreath, a symbol stretching back to antiquity, often signified celebration, honor, or even the cycle of life and death. We see echoes of this motif in countless artworks across time: from ancient Roman festivals to Renaissance allegories. Consider Botticelli’s “Primavera,” where Flora, goddess of spring, scatters blossoms, embodying renewal. Yet here, the garland seems to weigh down the young woman, framing her face with a bittersweet beauty. The gesture of her hand, reaching outward, has a longing. Is she offering the flowers, or seeking something beyond the confines of the oval frame? This simple gesture evokes a deep psychological response, engaging our own desires and memories. Like a dream, it reminds us of how symbols evolve, carrying collective emotions through generations.