Greetings Card
1860-1880 (published)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This German greetings card from about 1850–75 shows a female figure as a pansy. The name is derived from the French ‘pensèr’, to think; pansies symbolise thought and remembrance. Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose, which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten ‘language of flowers’, in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Colour lithograph and paper lace |
Brief description | One of nine greeting cards with anthropomorphised flower designs, Germany, 1860-1880 |
Physical description | Colour-printed greetings card, showing a flower in human form, with embossed paper lace edging. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions | Pensée |
Gallery label |
|
Credit line | Bequeathed by Guy Little |
Object history | Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten 'language of flowers' in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning. Here the plants have actually become people. |
Subjects depicted | |
Summary | This German greetings card from about 1850–75 shows a female figure as a pansy. The name is derived from the French ‘pensèr’, to think; pansies symbolise thought and remembrance. Some flowers can have a symbolic meaning, like the lily and the rose, which are both associated with the Virgin Mary. The nineteenth century created a complete and now almost forgotten ‘language of flowers’, in which every plant had a distinct character and sentimental meaning. |
Collection | |
Accession number | E.2327-1953 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | July 18, 2005 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest