Flowers bring a sense of fulfillment and pleasure to life; they’re a common medium through which creators express their emotions and opinions. Floral art has been a popular subject for painters over the years. Their colours, design, and structure have inspired artists, while some have even dedicated their careers to create botanical paintings.
Whether they paint a bed of roses, lilies, or irises in a vase, every artist adds their unique style and techniques to the artwork. You can trace the progression of art by simply examining floral paintings in different eras as they reveal a powerful story and subtly highlight the period it was painted in.
Flowers through Different Periods:
Ancient Egyptians and Flowers
Did you know that the lotus was the first flower that was represented in art? Egyptians painted lotus as they believed they symbolized the sun.
Medieval Art
During medieval times, floral art gained popularity, and each flower and plant painted had a hidden message. The people during this time were educated, which is why artists chose to communicate through plants and flowers.
Renaissance Art
The presence and popularity of flowers in paintings grew even more during the Renaissance period. Artists used them as the focal point and even as background objects. Artists used flowers for church paintings as a symbol of faithfulness. Even today, you’ll see several religious paintings with flowers like lilies and irises displayed in churches in Europe.
The Age Of Enlightenment During the enlightenment period, the sunflower became a popular target. “Sunflowers” by Vincent Van Gogh is a prime example, as this painting depicts the thoughts and emotions of leaving his home in Holland to join artists in France. The colors and intensity of the flowers in the painting are still marveled at by people far and wide. Several interpreters believe that his floral paintings symbolize the entire life cycle of a person.
Common Flowers and Their Meanings
Lily
Lilies have been used throughout art history and are a symbol of purity. However, as art progressed, the flower became associated with femininity, love, and grief.
Rose
The deep red color is often associated with romance and role, while the thorns of this flower signified trials and sufferings that come along with love.
Iris
Iris is another white flower that symbolizes purity. It is used along with lilies to indicate newness and new life. The blue iris shows maternal grief.
How Can You Appreciate Floral Paintings?
Floral paintings speak volumes if you lend an ear to listen. Constant exposure to these paintings can evoke a sense of warmth and serenity in your heart. Hang a floral painting in your living room so you can feel most relaxed after a tiring day from work.
Floral paintings at the workplace can help control frustration and anxiety, ensuring all employees work with the best spirits. A floral painting can do wonders when placed solo; don’t overcrowd the wall with other pictures as it can take away its charm and effect.
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