10/11/2026
Floral Still Life (ca. 1824) | Franz Xaver Petter
What appears to be a celebration of nature’s beauty is, in fact, a carefully composed story.
In the 17th century, flowers carried meanings beyond their colours and fragrance. Roses spoke of love, lilies symbolised purity, and tulips represented the preciousness of life. Collectors and patrons understood these floral still lifes as symbolic works, inviting them to “read” the painting one flower at a time.
As blossoms, butterflies, and the vibrant parrot come to life, the artwork reveals a world where nature was admired not only for its beauty, but also for the stories it was able to tell.