Portret van een staande man en vrouw met een boeket bloemen 1873 - 1900

This is a portrait of a standing man and woman with a bouquet of flowers, created by Eckert & Müllern. The dominant image is the bouquet, an emblem deeply rooted in the language of love and courtship. This motif echoes through centuries, resonating with the "flower power" of ancient rituals. The giving of flowers is a tradition as old as time. We can trace this gesture back to antiquity: the goddess Flora from Roman mythology, whose rites were celebrated with wreaths and blossoms, becomes a recurring motif of rebirth and eternal return. But here, the bouquet is not merely ornamental; it is a potent symbol, a silent dialogue between the couple. The flowers' symbolism evokes collective memory and resonates with viewers on a deep, subconscious level, stirring emotions linked to our shared cultural history. It reminds us of a non-linear, cyclical progression, where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.