Final vignette c. 1884

This study of a lily flower was drawn by Wilhelm Steinhausen, and it resides with us here in the Städel Museum. Here, the lily, with its trumpet-shaped bloom, stands as a symbol of purity, rebirth, and hope. In Christian iconography, particularly, the lily is associated with the Virgin Mary, embodying innocence and divine grace. We see this symbol echoed through time; from ancient Egyptian art, where the lotus, a similar flower, symbolized creation and resurrection, to its prominent use in Renaissance paintings signifying chastity. Consider Botticelli's "Annunciation," where the angel Gabriel presents Mary with a lily, a visual testament to her purity. The lily's journey through art history speaks to our deep-seated yearning for transcendence. Like a dream that resurfaces with different nuances, the symbolic power of the lily persists, blossoming in diverse cultural landscapes, bearing witness to our collective hopes.