 | The National Museum of Fine Arts in Stockholm is presenting between 22 February - 27 May 2007 an exhibition dedicated to the language of flowers in art, from the Renaissance to contemporary times, showcasing a wide selection of works : oil paintings, watercolours, ceramics, glass, photographs. The organisers have tried to present flowers both from an artistic point of view and from a scientific one, as the exhibition is meant to be a contribution to the 300th anniversary of the birth of the famous Linnaeus (Carl von Linne), the most important Swedish botanist, who had several prestigious contributions to this science. |
"The Language of Flowers" exhibition is a fascinating voyage in the world of flowers, beginning with the works of the Renaissance artists and the still-lifes created by painters such as Van Dyck in the 17th century. At that time the language of flowers was deeply symbolic, filled with hidden meanings and ideas. During the next century artists began experimenting more, and flowers lost gradually their symbolic meaning, being used mainly in decorative compositions. This interesent in depicting flowers would lead in the Romantic movement to the over use of flowers in compositions. In the 19th century floral painting became a interest of female artists, yet some of the best known painters chose to try their talent in the field. In the 20th century the ever popular floral still lifes developed even more, yet this time the results were increasingly abstract.
The National Museum of Fine Arts in Stockholm is offering the chance of discovering this changes and evolution in visual arts together with the scientific presentations of flowers and plants. In order to present the contemporary approach, an installation with fresh flowers is also present, the work of Line Bergseth.
Photo : nationalmuseum.se
May 2007
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