Art's Last Bow

Roses stand for love, right? So, a painting that features a rose prominently is probably all about romance. Don’t be too sure of that. Yellow rose. Samuel Luke (1843–1927) The imagery of a rose has been interwoven with love and romance for many centuries, but the presence of roses doesn’t automatically decipher a painting’s theme as a romantic one. Think about it, since a red rose is a symbol of love second only to the heart , why does the painter use a yellow rose instead? What Do Roses Mean in Art? Real yellow roses are beautiful, joyful flowers, but their reputation as a symbol leaves much to be desired. Let’s take a quick look at all you need to know about the rose’s symbolism in art. The Victorians differentiated roses’ meanings by color. The more intense the color, the more intense the feelings. Simply put: Red roses – love, passion, devotion Pink roses – love, affection, admiration, feminine beauty White roses – innocence, silence, soul connection Yellow roses – jealousy, infide...