For Saint Dorothea’s Day 1899 

Herbert James Draper painted this scene of Saint Dorothea around 1899, focusing on her connection to roses, a symbol deeply entwined with her legend. According to the narrative, an angel delivered roses to the skeptic Theophilus on the day of her martyrdom. The rose, emblem of love and beauty, finds roots in ancient mythologies, adorning Aphrodite and symbolizing both earthly passion and divine love. Here, Draper captures the rose not just as a symbol of Dorothea's purity and sacrifice, but also as a bridge connecting the earthly and the divine. Think of Botticelli’s Venus, born amidst roses, or the rose windows in Gothic cathedrals, each petal a prayer. The act of offering a rose transcends time, echoing in various cultural expressions of love, respect, and remembrance. Draper’s choice to depict Dorothea amidst such abundance compels us to consider the flower's enduring power as a carrier of memory and emotion, a visual echo resonating through centuries.