Discovering Belvedere and Paris

“The Goddess Flora” Luca Giordano, Andrea Belvedere 1697.

Following the gilded ceilings of the Louvre, I was surprised that much time passed before I laid eyes on any floral paintings. In fact, the first flower I laid eyes on depicted in paint was a white lily, a Madonna lily (“L’Annonciation Giulio Cesare Procaccini). In the flower world as in art, white lilies (lys blanc) represent rebirth and peace. Having moved to Paris from Boston just days ago, I could not have felt more connected to this symbol— it also being a symbol deeply embedded in France’s history— it was as much a sign as seeing a white dove.

The room to follow held surprise for me. I gravitated to a darker corner and happened upon a painting I would of bet was a Dutch floral still life. I was wrong. The painting that captivated me was by baroque Italian artist, Andrea Belvedere and had all the makings of Rusch and Van Rijn works. The illuminating florals darkly seated in a nondescript background. A curious creature, non-focal, peeking into the frame. What interested me was the combination of techniques, some smudgy roses like Franz Mortelmans, alongside crisper brush stroke tulips, like Ruysch. What separates this work from its Dutch contemporaries and feels more of an Italian indication is the ornate vessel and the beginnings of a story off to the right side in the background.

“Landscape with Vases of Flowers and Fruits” Abate Andrea Belvedere 1675.

It is true you could spend weeks at the Louvre, and I will, but I have been as equally enchanted by the galleries and jardins round the city. Every book shop (libraire), antiquaire and gallery in these streets house treasures waiting to be discovered. Since making Paris my new home, the art world is opening itself to me in ways I could not have seen and new discoveries await each day.

“Velléda” Hippolyte Maindron 1844 at the Jardin du Luxembourg.

I’m excited to continue documenting and sharing my floral discoveries and symbolism through art. The colors and textures I am studying are already fueling me with design hunger and perhaps it will influence you and your relationship to flowers and the arts as well, or at least make for a good story…

à bientot

xx B

The Goddess Flora 1697. Luca Giordano, Andrea Belvedere