Magnolia grandiflora (The Laurel Tree of Carolina) c. 1743 - 1771

This is Georg Dionysius Ehret’s rendering of Magnolia grandiflora, made with pen and watercolor. The white flower, centrally placed, stands out as a symbol of purity and immortality, a long-held association with white blossoms across cultures. Think back to the ancient world: white flowers were offered to deities in Greece, adorning temples as symbols of rebirth. This motif echoes through time, appearing in Renaissance paintings of the Virgin Mary. Here, Ehret presents not just a botanical study, but a vessel of collective memory. The magnolia, reminiscent of the lotus in Eastern traditions, conveys a cyclical view of life and death, a powerful force in our subconscious. The flower is not merely an object but an enduring emblem, a visual echo resonating with humanity’s deepest reflections on existence.