Rozen 1630 - 1718

This is an etching of roses by an anonymous artist. Roses have always been laden with symbolic weight: symbols of love, beauty, and sometimes, of sorrow and death. The rose motif winds its way through history, much like a tendril seeking purchase. We find it in ancient Roman frescoes, adorning the walls of villas, and in medieval tapestries, whispered promises of courtly love. Yet, consider the rose in religious iconography, particularly the Madonna of the Rose Garden. Here, it symbolizes divine love and the purity of the Virgin Mary, transforming the earthly passion into something sacred. The rose, therefore, isn't just a flower; it’s a vessel. It carries with it the collective memories and emotional currents of generations. It speaks to our deepest desires and fears, resonating in the subconscious long after the petals have withered. This emblem resurfaces, evolves, and blooms anew in each era, its thorns and beauty inextricably intertwined.