The Ultraviolet Gardener 

Allison Reimold, a 20th-century artist, created this intriguing piece known as "The Ultraviolet Gardener." Here, the dominant motif is the butterfly, symbols of transformation and the soul’s journey, flitting around a poised figure. Such lepidopteran imagery has long been associated with Psyche in ancient Greek lore, representing the metamorphosis from earthly existence to a higher spiritual plane. But Reimold’s butterflies possess an otherworldly luminescence, a neon glow that sets them apart from their classical counterparts. Consider how these radiant beings contrast with the somber moths found in vanitas paintings, reminders of life's fleeting nature. Here, the butterflies are not symbols of mortality, but of an ethereal, almost supernatural change. The very act of gardening—tending to growth and renewal—suggests a deep, subconscious connection to the life cycle. This cycle transcends any one era, with ancient meanings resurfacing and evolving in contemporary contexts.