Dahlias 

Carl Moll’s painting presents us with a vibrant cluster of dahlias, their forms rendered in thick brushstrokes. Flowers have, of course, always been powerful symbols. The dahlia, with its layered petals, evokes notions of abundance and complexity, mirroring life's multifaceted nature. Consider how floral motifs recur throughout art history, from ancient Egyptian lotus blossoms symbolizing rebirth to the Renaissance's symbolic use of roses signifying love and beauty. Think of Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers herald the arrival of spring and fertility. The dahlia, relatively new to European eyes in Moll's time, carries a similar weight, yet its bold, almost brash form speaks to a modern sensibility, a departure from more delicate floral emblems. Moll's choice of the dahlia, and its emphatic depiction, resonates with a powerful, subconscious desire to capture the essence of nature's vitality in a rapidly changing world. The symbol is non-linear, cyclical: reappearing, evolving, and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts.