Aurantium Virgatum 1646

This watercolor painting by Giovanni Battista Ferrari features an orange, elegantly displayed with a ribbon bearing its name, Aurantium Virgatum. The orange, a symbol of wealth and exoticism during the 17th century, appears here with a particular emphasis on its vibrant texture. Consider the ribbon; it’s not merely decorative. Ribbons appear throughout art history. Think of the fluttering bands in Botticelli's "Primavera", or Fra Angelico's "Annunciation", where they carry text or divine messages. Here, the ribbon labels and elevates the fruit. The symbolism around citrus fruit is quite potent. In Renaissance paintings, an orange often symbolizes the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, with its associations of temptation and awareness. However, it has also been a symbol of paradise, eternal youth, and the golden apples of the Hesperides. This image presents a fascinating case study in how a simple piece of fruit can carry such cultural weight and emotional resonance. It prompts us to reflect on how symbols evolve, retaining echoes of past meanings.