Vrouwelijk naakt achter vaas met aronskelken 1912

Here is a woodcut print by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita depicting a nude woman behind a vase with arum lilies, made in 1912. The stark contrast between light and dark enhances the symbolic weight of the calla lilies. These flowers, with their trumpet-like shape, have long been associated with both purity and eroticism, often linked to the Virgin Mary while also suggesting fertility and sensuality. This duality echoes in various artistic traditions. We find it in Renaissance Annunciation scenes where lilies symbolize Mary's virginity, yet also in more earthly depictions where flowers represent fleeting beauty and desire. This juxtaposition embodies a psychological tension, perhaps reflecting our own complex feelings about beauty, mortality, and the cyclical nature of life. Note how Mesquita’s work allows these ancient symbols to resurface, transformed yet still potent, engaging our subconscious with their enduring emotional charge.