Margriet 1845 - 1850

This woodblock print of a margriet was crafted by Utagawa Hiroshige in 19th-century Japan. The margriet, or daisy, looms large, dominating the upper portion of the image with its radiant petals. In Japan, as in the West, such flowers often symbolize purity and innocence, but also resilience, a quiet strength. Consider Botticelli's "Primavera," where flowers scattered across the meadow represent fertility and renewal. Here, Hiroshige's single bloom encapsulates similar themes, distilled to their essence. The daisy, a seemingly simple flower, carries a wealth of cultural weight. This emblem of nature’s enduring beauty has appeared in different contexts, shifting in meaning according to time and place. It’s a visual echo resonating through centuries.