Two Girls Under Plum Tree 1615 - 1868

This woodblock print by Nishikawa Sukenobu depicts two women beneath a plum tree. The plum blossom, or ume, is not merely decorative; in Japanese culture, it symbolizes perseverance, hope, and the arrival of spring. Consider the enduring symbolism of the plum blossom across cultures: In China, it represents winter's end and the promise of renewal, much like the almond blossom in Europe that heralds the coming of spring in Van Gogh's paintings. These blooms stir a collective memory, a deep-seated human response to nature's cycles. Notice the gentle interaction between the women. Such intimate gestures—the sharing of secrets or the offering of comfort—recur throughout art history, from Renaissance depictions of the Virgin and child to modern expressions of empathy. These symbols are not static; they evolve, adapting to the psychological and emotional landscape of each era, yet remain tethered to our shared human experience.