[Roses] 1873 - 1877

This evocative photograph of roses was captured by Eugène Chauvigné, a French artist, in the 19th century. The rose, a symbol of love and beauty since antiquity, carries a complex history. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was linked to Aphrodite and Venus. In the Victorian era, specific colors of roses conveyed distinct emotions in the language of flowers. But the rose's significance extends beyond romantic love. In Christianity, it became associated with the Virgin Mary, symbolizing purity and divine love. Think of Botticelli's "Mystic Nativity", painted in Florence in 1500, in which roses crown the angels celebrating Christ's birth. Observe how Chauvigné uses light and shadow to deepen the emotional resonance of the roses, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with their symbolism. The cyclical progression of symbols like the rose, and how they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts, invites us to consider the flow of images across cultures.