Twee soorten fritillaria 1617

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger made this engraving of two fritillaria species. Note the drooping posture of the flowers. In the language of flowers, the fritillary often symbolizes sorrow or disappointment, its head bowed with grief. This motif echoes in various artistic depictions of mourning, such as the Weeping Women found in ancient Roman sarcophagi, where similar gestures convey deep sorrow and lament. Consider how this motif has been reinterpreted throughout history. From its somber use in classical art to its incorporation into Renaissance paintings and modern works. The enduring image of a bowed figure or drooping flower taps into our collective memory of loss, engaging us on a subconscious level. Symbols like this do not progress linearly; they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the shifting emotional and cultural landscapes of each era.