Crizanteme 

Ion Pacea painted "Crizanteme," a still life, with oil on canvas, capturing a bouquet of chrysanthemums in a vase, accompanied by a scattering of fruit. The symbolism of chrysanthemums is rich, particularly in Eastern cultures, where they often represent longevity, joy, and beauty. Notice how Pacea's chrysanthemums, in their full, rounded form, evoke a sense of abundance, perhaps even mirroring similar floral motifs found in ancient Roman frescoes, where the fullness of blooms symbolized prosperity and the cyclical nature of life. Consider how these motifs find echoes in later works, such as Dutch Golden Age still lifes, where the transience of flowers served as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. Even in these contexts, the lushness of floral arrangements conveys a powerful, deeply felt connection to the natural world, engaging our subconscious awareness of life's fleeting beauty. In Pacea’s arrangement, there is an emotional tension in the wilting flowers; they speak to the enduring, cyclical nature of existence.