Self-Portrait with Gladioli 

George Washington Lambert offers us a glimpse into his world with this self-portrait, dominated by the gladioli he holds. These sword-shaped flowers, named after the gladiators of ancient Rome, symbolize strength and victory. Yet, the gladiolus isn't always a symbol of triumph. Consider its appearance in funerary rites, representing remembrance and mourning. Lambert, with a pipe in his mouth and hand on his hip, almost mocks these associations. His assured, yet somewhat melancholic gaze draws us in. The gladiolus, thus, embodies a fascinating dichotomy—a dance between triumph and tragedy, immortalisation and mortality. It is a powerful reminder that symbols are never fixed. They evolve, adapt, and reflect the ever-changing tapestry of human experience and the emotions that drive us.