GiftThemArt –
The seasons of flower gifting have begun with Valentine’s day right around the corner, followed by Easter and mothers day. Artists have created artwork with those celebration-inspired themes for ages. Long before the internet and before printed books, flowers had symbolism and meaning come along with their natural beauty. Flowers in religious art for instant such as the white Lilly are loaded with meanings. The Lilly represents purity, beauty, innocence, and salvation. During times when few could read and even fewer had books, visual language in art was important. It was the fastest and easiest form of communication. Like primitive cave paintings and paintings created long after those visual languages remained.
For art students, the hidden messages and meanings are studied in great detail during art history. The Swing by Jean-Honoré Fragonard comes to mind. The so seemingly innocent painting which is even portrayed in Disney movies is not so innocent at all. Outtake of the description: “ So here we have a young girl on the swing flying carelessly through the air, pushed from behind by an old man. Her right slipper flies, oh so conveniently, off her foot and suddenly the young man, lounging in the low bush, enjoying the view above him, comes into view. In fact, he is looking right up her frothy pink and cream skirt! “ https://galleryintell.com/artex/the-swing-by-jean-honore-fragonard/ After reading this you will never be able to look at this painting quite the same way. You might even ask yourself what movie companies have been thinking of incorporating this painting into a kid’s cartoon.
It brings home how important visual messages and meaning are in the art we view and the things we gift. Why do we give flowers and chocolates as gifts? Did you know that gifting flowers go back to the ancient Greeks? It was associated with offering gifts to the temples. Not long after this tradition extended to giving flowers to women, referring to them as the early goddesses. I had to laugh at the picture that flashed into my mind at the thought. Chocolate on the other hand was considered aphrodisiac food since the time of the Aztecs. The gift-giver I gather was bolder and I would think giving chocolate was a rather intimate matter and could have been considered rude given to a person of interest too soon. In a way, it was the old fashion way of asking you to come in for coffee.
This brings me back to flowers and their meanings. During my stay in Italy, I was sent a bouquet of flowers for my birthday. The bouquet was made up of pale flowers such as Lillies, white roses, and orchids. Those who saw this lovely arrangement found it strange that it was lacking the traditional cheerful colors of a birthday bouquet. To this day I do not know if this selection was intentional or by the florist flower selection he happen to have handy. It was clear that the symbolism language is still strong and it is wise to tell a florist what message you are trying to send with your gift or at the very least research the flowers you are giving.
As artists, we are researchers at heart and by creating art. When we incorporate flowers we do research their meanings. Off course I did the same after creating my forget me not paintings. I always loved to forget me not, with their name I thought it was pretty clear what symbolism they stood for. This little humble wildflower is sweetly gifted to so many sweethearts and mothers. It also symbolizes the ones we lost and were taken away from us. This tiny sweet wildflower carries so many meanings. Forget-me-nots symbolize true love, respect, fidelity, and faithfulness. It’s surprising that it has not replaced the classic red rose. The blue forget me not like I painted, symbolizes: Peace, healing, growth, development, intelligence, power, and communication.
One thing I would like to bring home when it comes to gift-giving unless a tool gifted is used as a hobby for fun and relaxation don’t gift them unless they were specifically requested. If perhaps that gift would be so much needed pair it up with an equally important thoughtful gift just because. Imagine what kind of symbolism that pot, pan, or appliance has in the eye or the receiver. Does it say I love you or cook me dinner? If you are at a loss as to what to give, consider gifting art. Art is so wonderfully flexible and can be given in the form of art supplies, art lessons, museum passes, art itself, or gifts with art on them. Art is enjoyed by everyone old and young. There is something for everyone.
It seems that the little “Forget me not” Flower should be the flower for 2022
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