Roses 

Curator: This watercolor by Hercules Brabazon Brabazon is simply titled, "Roses." Editor: It has such a fleeting, dreamlike quality. The colors almost seem to dissolve into one another, like a memory fading at the edges. Curator: Yes, Brabazon was a master of capturing transient effects. He worked in a tradition that emphasized capturing impressions, so the flowers almost become secondary to the overall feeling of light and color. Roses have had symbolic significance dating back to antiquity. In visual culture, roses are linked to Aphrodite in Greek mythology. Christianity linked it to the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven, with the thorns being her sorrow and the flower representing love. Roses even appear in Dante’s Divine Comedy as the symbol of Paradise. So this work may allude to broader traditions than initially obvious. Editor: I find that notion fascinating! Given his interest in impressionistic techniques, perhaps he aims not for specific symbols, but to capture a more general sense of romantic yearning. In some ways, the sketch reminds me of a symbolist canvas from around the turn of the century. It does lack a definitive period; however, I can discern this sketch must date between 1821 and 1906. Curator: Well, his work was certainly appreciated by his contemporaries like Walter Sickert and John Singer Sargent, who responded to his ability to evoke atmosphere. Editor: What do you make of the vase itself, nearly the same tonal quality as the blooms above? Curator: It is grounding, and it directs the viewers' gaze. In visual language, objects that are stable usually represent grounding characteristics. We as an audience may long for freedom from earthly burdens; yet they may also symbolize the essential and foundational components of our existence. Editor: So, rather than focus on social or political concerns, this watercolor speaks more intimately about personal emotions. The longer I stand with it, I can see that it has the potential to provide access to a certain timeless sense of longing. Curator: Indeed, a space for contemplation amidst the continuous churn of our daily lives.