Bloem op steel 1820 - 1833

Anton Weiss rendered this flower on paper sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The crown imperial, or "Kaiserkrone" as it is known in German, with its pendant-like blossoms, is an emblem of majesty and sorrow, loaded with symbolic weight. The flower's crown-like shape has long been associated with royalty and power; yet, the drooping flowers evoke feelings of melancholy and decline. The image of the crown, frequently worn by rulers to represent their earthly authority, can be compared to the crown imperial. The crown as a symbol is cyclical; even though its design and application have changed over time, its core meaning of power and authority has persisted. This flower serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of worldly might, connecting the realms of art, nature, and the human condition.