Plate LXII (62): Flora, from "Museum Florentinum" (Statuae antiquae dorum et virorum illustrium) 1734

Girolamo Rossi the Younger created this print of Flora as part of the "Museum Florentinum" collection. The goddess stands, draped in classical garb, holding aloft a bouquet, symbols of springtime and renewal. Consider the motif of the elevated hand. We find it echoed through time, from ancient orators to religious figures bestowing blessings. Yet, the gesture's meaning is never fixed. In some contexts, it signifies power; in others, an offering. Here, Flora's raised hand and flowers may speak to the Roman Floralia festival, linking this image to themes of fertility. The persistence of these symbols isn't mere coincidence. They tap into collective memories, resonating with our primal connection to nature's cycles. This image isn’t just an artistic creation; it's a conduit through which ancient ideas about nature and the divine are recycled, transformed, and reborn.