Jug c. 1937

This work by Yolande Delasser presents a sketch-like quality, rendered in watercolor that gives the impression of something unfinished. The stylized floral motif that dominates the composition has its roots in ancient symbols of rebirth and growth. Notice how the blue floral motif calls to mind the Tree of Life, which appears across cultures from ancient Mesopotamia to the Kabbalah. In these traditions, the tree symbolizes the interconnectedness of all things and the cyclical nature of existence. The symbol itself undergoes transformations, appearing in Egyptian art as the lotus or palmette, then as a classical acanthus leaf, and later in medieval illuminated manuscripts. It speaks to the human subconscious need to find order in chaos, to connect to the rhythms of nature, and to express hope for renewal. The persistence of this archetype across millennia is a testament to its enduring power over the human psyche. It suggests that the symbol's journey is not linear but rather a spiral, constantly circling back to its origins while acquiring new layers of meaning.