Madame Lerolle 1882

Henri Fantin-Latour painted Madame Lerolle, adorned in white and surrounded by blooms. Flowers, symbols of ephemeral beauty, were often depicted in 19th-century art as tokens of love, emblems of mourning, or metaphors for transient life. Here, the flowers are suggestive. The bouquet on the table seems carelessly arranged, while the single flower in Madame Lerolle's hand—a delicate, pink rose—draws the eye. This image is reminiscent of Botticelli’s Venus, rising from the sea, likewise carrying the promise of love. Yet, over time, roses have been layered with meaning; in the Victorian era, different colors and quantities symbolized various sentiments in the language of flowers. This echoes the cyclical nature of symbols—how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, filtered through collective memory, reflecting our deepest desires and fears. In this way, an artist engages with the past and the present.