Madonna of the Rose-bush 1510

Bernardino Luini painted this Madonna and Child with oil on wood, and surrounded them with a rose-bush. The rose, a symbol of love and beauty since ancient times, takes on another layer of meaning here. Its thorns hint at the pain and sacrifice central to the Christian narrative. Roses are often associated with the Virgin Mary, coming to represent her purity, love, and sorrow. Consider how the rose motif appears in stained glass windows, tapestries, and illuminated manuscripts across Europe, each iteration carrying echoes of devotion. The rose then, is a potent symbol, rooted in classical antiquity, blooming through the medieval period, and flourishing in the Renaissance. Each bloom, each thorn, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to connect us to the deepest currents of human emotion and belief.