Solace

by Connie Handscomb

Title

Solace

Artist

Connie Handscomb

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Fine Art

Description

There comes into my mind such an indescribable, infinite, all-absorbing, divine, heavenly pleasure, a sense of elevation and expansion ....
~ Henry David Thoreau

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Tulip
Genus : Tulipa spp.
Family : Liliaceae


The tulip grew wild abundantly in the central Asia mountains, in China & Mongolia, in North Africa, and later throughout Europe. Tulip designs have been found on pottery dating back to 2200 BC. So, while one might tend to think of Netherlands as home of the tulip, it was actually first cultivated in Turkey, grown in the palace gardens of the sultans, and is in fact the national flower of Hungary, Turkey & the "Tulip state" Kyrgyzstan. Turkey held the first tulip festivals - it represents abundance and indulgence - and Istanbul still hosts them. Its name is derived from the Turkish word for 'turban' (tulband) because of its shape. As a cultural symbol of the Ottoman Empire, it appeared on textiles, ceramics, woodcarvings and many other art forms.

The Flemish ambassador wrote of it, and it is believed a botanical professor, Charles de L'Ecluse, brought the tulip to Holland in 1593, having purchased it in Istanbul. The professor admired the work of the Flemish painter Paul Rubens, and after the tulip was propagated at Leiden University, it was shipped to him. Painters loved to paint the tulip. The Golden Age of Dutch painting was abundant with still life compositions of the tulip. Special tulip books were published, as were catalogues for wealthy collectors.

In 1630, one single bulb was exchanged for:
2 wheat loads, 4 rye loads, 4 fat oxen, 8 fat pigs, 12 fat sheep, 2 bogsheads of wine, 4 barrels of beer, 2 barrels of butter, 1,000 lbs. of cheese, a bed, a suit of clothes, and a silver beaker.

By the 17th c., 'Tulipmania' was in full swing: a single bulb was worth the equivalent price today of a house and a garden. The Dutch created formal geometrically shaped gardens and fountains in the Italian fashion, and the plants became "botanized" (grown for decorative qualities) whereas previously they had been kept by physicians and cooks. Initially the blooms were simple, with limited range of colours; then doubles began appearing, and the 'broken' tulips - much prized - those with intricately flamed, striped or feathered petals. No one knew then that their beauty was caused by a virus brought on by aphids, and even though the plant was inevitably weakened by it, the blooms became the most popular. It became known as the world's florists' flower, and the more brilliant and lively it was, the more it was loved.

Today, 15 groups with approximately 2,600 varieties of tulips exist, with Holland exporting 60% of the world's tulips. The species bulbs are more vigorous than the weaker hybrids which tend not to lose vigour after a year or two but whichever is used, it is now the 'people's flower' , cherished by all.

Tulips are heralds of springtime. They symbolize eternal life. Different colours have more specific meanings.

Sources:
Fifty Plants that changed the Course of History (Bill Laws)
Four Chefs, One Garden : Seasons Of West Coast Living [Roy]
Painterly Plants [Clare Foster; Photog.Ruber]
The Romantic Language Of Flowers [Davies; Saunders]

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This springtime has been an unusual one, wet and cool, so that this gentle spring floral is a most welcome cheer for the season. The beauty of this tulip is such that I do not have the precise words to describe it, although looking at its soft, gentle glow provides me with a deep feeling of comfort.

Digital painting applied to my original, uncropped macro image.

Uploaded

April 13th, 2017

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