Twee cultivars uit het genus anemone 1617

Crispijn van de Passe the Younger created this engraving of two anemone cultivars in the 17th century. The anemone flower, depicted here with delicate detail, has long been associated with themes of death, remembrance, and fragility. In classical mythology, the anemone sprang from the tears of Venus as she mourned the death of Adonis, thus linking the flower to both love and loss. We find similar sentiments echoed in Renaissance paintings, where the anemone appears in depictions of the crucifixion, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice and the shedding of blood. Over time, this flower has become a potent symbol in art, literature, and even psychoanalysis. Its beauty and ephemerality serving as a poignant reminder of our own mortality. These associations resonate deeply, engaging viewers on a subconscious level and reminding us of the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. The flower resurfaces repeatedly throughout art history.