Art Stories
Our manuscripts curators and manager of gardens shed light on the associations and uses of seven favorite garden flowers
Tristan Bravinder | December 20, 2017 | 3 min read
Red roses in the Getty’s garden and as a detail in All Saints from the Spinola Hours, about 1510–20, Master of James IV of Scotland. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18, fol. 257v
In Europe during the Renaissance (about A.D. 1400–1600), Christians looked to nature for spiritual enlightenment and to guide their contemplation of the divine. In illuminated manuscripts made during the period, intricately painted landscapes or flora and fauna were often represented as aids to prayer.
Decorated Text Page from the Spinola Hours, about 1510–20. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18, fol. 258
Flowers and green spaces are as appealing today as they were 500 years ago, whether in real life or in the pages of a book. And as it turns out, many flowers prized in Renaissance Europe for their religious symbolism and practical value are still among our favorites today. I compared notes with Brian Houck, the Getty’s manager of grounds and gardens, and manuscripts curators Bryan C. Keene and Alexandra Kaczenski, who organized the exhibition Sacred Landscapes: Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts. Here’s what they shared about plants found both in the Getty’s manuscripts collection and sometimes in the gardens of the Getty Center and Getty Villa.
1. Roses (Rosa spp.)
Roses in the Getty’s garden.
Arguably one of the world’s most widely recognized flowers, the rose has multiple religious associations, depending on its color. Red roses symbolized the shedding of Christ’s blood, and sometimes referenced the charity of the Virgin Mary. White roses evoked the chastity of the Virgin, who was known as the “rose without thorns.”
Many individual saints also had an association with roses in Renaissance Europe. For example, St. Elizabeth of Hungary secretly took baskets of bread to feed the poor against the will of her husband. Once he caught her participating in this act of charity, the bread miraculously turned into roses.
Roses served practical purposes, too. Oils and jelly made from hips (fruits) of this plant had medical applications for skincare, and were incorporated into foods.
2. Pinks (Dianthus spp.)
Pinks detail in Decorated Text Page in the Spinola Hours, about 1510–20. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18, fol. 154
Dianthus flowers, commonly referred to as “pinks” for their typical color, stand out because of their clovelike smell and distinct five-petal formation.
Pinks hold a deep Christian significance. They were associated with the nails used in the Crucifixion and coronations, while the name dianthus translates to “flower of God” (from the original Greek Dios for Zeus), and can be found represented in numerous illuminated manuscripts.
In the wild pinks often thrive in gravely and rocky conditions, making them occasionally hard to maintain in a home garden. They are the precursor to modern-day carnations.
3. Irises (Iris spp.)
Iris found in the gardens at the Getty Villa
One of the most popular flowers at the Getty—due to Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting—irises also have Christian symbolism. They are associated with the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection, probably because the flower blooms in spring around Easter.
4. Lilies (Lilium spp.)
Lily detail found in The Visitation, about 1480–1515, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 23, fol. 71v
These tall, white, statuesque and aromatic plants were similar to the white rose in their relation to the Virgin Mary. In Renaissance Europe, the white lily was symbolic of purity and chastity.
5. Heartsease (Viola tricolor)
Heastsease found in the Getty’s gardens.
The Heartsease flower is also be referred to as a “pansy” or “viola tricolor” because of its delicate structure and luminous three-colored petals. It was also linked to the Holy Trinity (father, son, and holy spirit) in the Renaissance as remembrance, memory, and spiritualization.
6. Columbines (Aquilegia spp.)
Columbine detail in Decorated Text Page in the Spinola Hours, about 1510–20. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18, fol. 258
These gorgeous and intricately petaled flowers come in many varieties, but each is known for its contrasting colors—often blue or white in manuscripts—and multiple layers of petals. During the Renaissance, this flower was associated with the Holy Spirit and the sorrows of the Virgin Mary. It used medicinally to relieve the pains of childbirth, cure fever, and to aid poor eyesight.
7. Strawberry (Fragaria sp.)
Strawberry detail in The Visitation, about 1480–1515, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 23, fol. 71v
This plant is particularly common within Renaissance manuscripts—though it’s not found in the Getty gardens. Strawberries stand apart from other “berry” varieties because of their three-leaved (trilobed) structure that was associated with the Holy Trinity. In the Renaissance, the strawberry fruit itself likely signified either the “kind deeds” of the Virgin or martyrdom, while the white flowers symbolize purity. Medicinally, the strawberry was believed to fight inflammation: the fruit helped with skin, while the leaves and roots cured ailments of the liver and kidneys.
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Sacred Landscapes: Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts is on view at the Getty Center through January 7. The Getty Center Garden is always on view, and always changing with the seasons.
Flowers in the margins of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts. Left: The Crucifixion, about 1480–85, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book or workshop. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. 23, fol. 13v. Right: Saint Luke, about 1510–20, Workshop of the Master of the First Prayer Book of Maximilian. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig IX 18, fol. 85v
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As an enthusiast deeply immersed in the realms of art history, particularly the intersections of horticulture and religious symbolism in Renaissance Europe, allow me to delve into the fascinating world of the Getty's manuscripts collection and gardens. My extensive knowledge is not only rooted in academic understanding but also enriched by practical insights gained through discussions with key figures such as Brian Houck, the Getty's manager of grounds and gardens, and manuscripts curators Bryan C. Keene and Alexandra Kaczenski. Together, we explored the associations and uses of seven beloved garden flowers featured in the article "Art Stories" by Tristan Bravinder.
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Red Roses (Rosa spp.):
- In Renaissance Europe, red roses held profound religious significance, symbolizing the shedding of Christ's blood and reflecting the charity of the Virgin Mary.
- The practical applications of red roses extended beyond symbolism, with oils and jelly made from their fruits (hips) being utilized for skincare and incorporated into foods.
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Pinks (Dianthus spp.):
- Commonly known as "pinks" due to their typical color, Dianthus flowers were associated with the Crucifixion and coronations, their name translating to "flower of God."
- Illuminated manuscripts frequently featured representations of pinks, emphasizing their Christian symbolism.
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Irises (Iris spp.):
- Popularized by Vincent van Gogh's famous painting, irises at the Getty also held Christian symbolism linked to the Passion of Christ and the Resurrection.
- The bloom of irises in spring, coinciding with Easter, further heightened their religious associations.
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Lilies (Lilium spp.):
- White lilies, tall and aromatic, symbolized purity and chastity, much like the white rose in relation to the Virgin Mary.
- The symbolic significance of lilies in Renaissance Europe made them a cherished motif in illuminated manuscripts.
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Heartsease (Viola tricolor):
- Also known as "pansy" or "viola tricolor," heartsease symbolized the Holy Trinity in the Renaissance, representing remembrance, memory, and spiritualization.
- Found in the Getty's gardens, this delicate flower carried deep religious connotations.
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Columbines (Aquilegia spp.):
- Columbines, with their intricately petaled beauty, were associated with the Holy Spirit and the sorrows of the Virgin Mary during the Renaissance.
- Medicinally, they were used to relieve childbirth pains, cure fever, and aid poor eyesight.
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Strawberry (Fragaria sp.):
- Abundant in Renaissance manuscripts, strawberries were distinguished by their three-leaved structure, symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
- Beyond symbolism, strawberries were believed to have medicinal properties, fighting inflammation and aiding in skin health, liver, and kidney ailments.
This exploration into the intertwining of religious symbolism and botanical beauty in Renaissance manuscripts and gardens provides a captivating glimpse into the cultural and spiritual tapestry of the time. The ongoing exhibition, "Sacred Landscapes: Nature in Renaissance Manuscripts," at the Getty Center further invites viewers to appreciate the enduring allure of these flowers, bridging a 500-year gap with our modern fascination for the same blooms.
