Collage van uitgeknipte prenten geplakt op een albumblad van blauw papier c. 1680 - 1720

This collage of cut prints, pasted on blue paper, is a fascinating gathering of images from different makers, a cultural kaleidoscope. Note the central figure: a woman offering flowers. This gesture, seemingly simple, is rich with meaning. The offering of flowers has ancient roots, symbolizing love, respect, and goodwill. Think of Flora, the Roman goddess of springtime, her image often depicted with blooms cascading from her hands. The motif surfaces repeatedly throughout history, from Botticelli’s Primavera to countless depictions of the Virgin Mary. These resurrections reveal how deeply embedded such gestures are within our collective memory. In a psychological sense, the act of giving flowers taps into our subconscious desire for connection and harmony. Though the context shifts—religious, romantic, or social—the underlying emotional power remains potent, engaging viewers on a profound level. Like the cyclical nature of the seasons themselves, the symbolism of offering flowers continually resurfaces, evolving and adapting to new cultural landscapes.