Vrouw en meisjes omgeven door bloemen 1875 - 1879

This print was made in 1875 by Charles Rochussen to advertise a horticultural society in Rotterdam called Floralia. The image of women and girls among flowers can be seen in its wider social and cultural context if we look to the history of flower-growing in the Netherlands. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, such as the association of women with nature, but the historical associations of Dutch flower-growing are more complex. In the 17th century, the Dutch tulip market became an early example of a speculative bubble, with bulbs traded for exorbitant prices. Later, flowers came to be seen as a symbol of Dutch national pride and economic success. Was the Floralia society self-consciously conservative in promoting traditional roles for women? As historians, we can look to archival sources and institutional histories to gain a deeper understanding of the work. As we do so, the meaning of the image becomes contingent on this social and institutional context.