Twee bloemen, mogelijk anjers 1630 - 1718

This is a drawing of two flowers, possibly carnations, by an anonymous artist. The carnation, or dianthus, has carried a myriad of meanings across time. In antiquity, the flower was linked to divinity and was used in ceremonial crowns. During the Renaissance, the carnation often symbolized love and marriage, appearing in portraits to signify betrothal or marital fidelity. Yet, like all symbols, its meaning is fluid. In some contexts, it could represent passionate love, while in others, it was associated with grief and remembrance. Consider the *pathosformel* inherent in its delicate, fringed petals—a testament to life's fragility. Like the folds in drapery that express intense emotion, the carnation embodies a poignant vulnerability, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Thus, the carnation is more than a mere botanical specimen; it’s a vessel of cultural memory, continually reborn through art.