Woman's Head with Roses 1899

Koloman Moser created this image of a Woman’s Head with Roses, sometime before 1918, using a color woodcut. The roses dominate, symbols of love and beauty since antiquity. Think of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, often depicted adorned with roses, or roses blooming from the blood of Adonis. Yet, these roses seem to be offered, presented in a manner that harkens back to the 'handkerchief of Saint Veronica' or even older votive offerings. This gesture of offering appears across cultures and epochs. One could draw a line from ancient Roman votive statues to medieval depictions of saints offering their hearts. These resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, engaging us on a deep, subconscious level. The cyclical nature of symbols reminds us that history is not linear but a constant return and reinterpretation of primal human experiences.