The Meaning of Flowers in Art
Why do artists and creatives love flowers? Flowers are inspirational. With their vivid colours, wonderful scent, magnificent beauty, and gentle petals, they conjure up strong feelings within us.
Flowers are exquisite for still life inspiration. As well as their beauty, they entice us to paint them, and also hold secret meanings and messages.
The Dutch artists were masters at painting floral displays. During the Dutch Golden Age Baroque movement, artists like Abraham van Beijeren, Hans Boulenger, Ambrosius Bosschaert, Jan Davidsz de Heem were specialists at painting flowers which included images of shells, insects and other things like wheat and bones. All these images held special meanings.
During the Pre-Raphaelite period, artists such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millaise created spectacular paintings of woman which included representations of flowers and again these held meanings. William Morris used flowers and leaves to create wonderful textile designs which are still popular today.
Vincent van Gogh, post impressionist artist, fell in love with sunflowers which is why he painted his iconic sunflower panting. In the 1800s, Claude Monet is renowned for painting flowers; his particular favourites were Irises.
Below are a series of some of my floral artworks.
Oil painting of Tropical bird with flowers
Morning Glory, Tulips and blue Iris feature in this painting with a colourful Australian green magpie.
The Blue Iris stands for faith and hope. The Victorian meaning for Morning Glory signifies affection and mortality. Tulips represent a declaration of perfect love.
Oil painting of blue Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas represent heartfelt emotions and can be used to express gratitude for being understood. This painting also includes fruits and blue glazed pot.
Oil painting of peonies in glass vase celebrating Monet Flowers
Peonies represent compassion and a happy life, happy marriage, good health, and prosperity. This painting also represents a green and red apple.
Some of my watercolour paintings are shown below. These were created during my 30 day watercolour painting challenge.
Watercolour botanical painting of Camelia.
Chamomile symbolises love and devotion, faithfulness and purity.
Watercolour botanical painting of Gladioli
Gladioli represent the strength of character, faithfulness, and remembrance.
Watercolour botanical painting of Purple Iris
The Purple Iris represents royalty, wisdom, admiration and dignity.
Watercolour botancial painting of Magnolia
Magnolia represent purity, love and joy.
Watercolour botanical painting of Sweat Peas
Sweet Peas represent loyalty, blissful pleasure and pleasure in life.
Flowers inspire some of my paintings, particularly when combined with other images.
Acrylic painting ‘Coming Spring’
This painting represents primroses and snowdrops. Snowdrops represent new beginnings, hope and rebirth whereas primroses symbolise youth.
Acrylic painting ‘Summer Plenty’
Magnolia Grandiflora symbolises purity, femininity and virtue. This painting includes butterflies and insects too.
Flowers will always hold importance for artists and creatives because of their overpowering beauty, vivid colours and subliminal messages and meanings they hold.