[Duchesse de Morny] 1855 - 1865

This is a photograph of the Duchesse de Morny, captured by Pierre-Louis Pierson. Note the red flower nestled in her hair. A seemingly simple adornment, yet it blooms with layers of meaning. The presence of a flower dates back to ancient times, often symbolizing beauty, love, and the ephemeral nature of life. The symbolic language of flowers, or floriography, was a common practice in the 19th century, through which different flowers and their arrangements were attributed specific meanings to communicate feelings and messages. The red flower, specifically, might evoke images of passion or even defiance; red as the colour of blood. Think of Botticelli's Venus, similarly adorned, rising from the sea, embodying beauty and desire. The same motif appears in different guises throughout history, acquiring new resonance with each iteration, shaped by collective memory. This continuous metamorphosis of symbols echoes in our subconscious, engaging viewers on an emotional level, stirring deep-seated associations. It is a language of the soul, persisting through time, its roots entwined in the shared human experience.