A Carnation ("Hollandia Liberata") 1675

This watercolor of a carnation, titled "Hollandia Liberata," was made by Zacharias Blijhooft in the 17th century. The carnation, with its vibrant, ruffled petals, is charged with symbolism. The flower’s red and white colors may evoke purity and love, but also courage, sacrifice, and the blood shed for freedom. Consider Botticelli's "Mystic Nativity" and the garland of carnations held by the angels, representing divine love and incarnation. Yet, look further back to ancient Greece and Rome, where the carnation was used in ceremonial crowns. The symbolic journey of the carnation reflects a deeper psychological phenomenon: the persistence of certain archetypes that resonate across centuries. These floral motifs, like dreams, reveal a complex interplay between our conscious desires and the subconscious echoes of historical experience. The emotional power of this image lies in its capacity to connect us not only with the immediate beauty of nature but also with the symbolic weight of cultural memory. The carnation has reappeared, evolved, and taken on new meanings across time.