Zonnebloem 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen made this pencil drawing, titled 'Zonnebloem', in the late 19th or early 20th century. Dominating the image is the sunflower, a symbol with a rich tapestry of meanings woven through time. In this drawing, the flower appears to be drooping; it is not bright and cheerful, but looks tired, spent. The sunflower’s association with the sun dates back to ancient cultures. The Incas saw it as a symbol of the sun god, representing warmth, life, and adoration. In this image, however, the sunflower appears to be wilting, which hints at the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Here the wilting sunflower transcends its bright, solar associations and embodies a melancholic contemplation of mortality. Such a visual representation echoes in van Gogh's sunflower series; while van Gogh captured their vibrant energy, Derkinderen explores the plant’s delicate, fleeting beauty as it begins to fade. This, perhaps, alludes to a deeper, subconscious recognition of life's impermanence. By focusing on this stage, Derkinderen engages with the viewer on a profound, emotional level, sparking a deep-seated awareness of our own transient existence.