The Romantic Rose

Through the ages, roses have been gifted as an expression of love, especially on Valentine’s Day.
The Romantic Rose
Madame de Pompadour wearing a green silk taffeta gown trimmed with garlands of roses. A detail from her 1756 portrait by François Boucher. Public Domain
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The enduring emblematic connection between romance and roses can be found throughout the ages, making them the hallmark flower for Valentine’s Day.

People’s adoration of roses has a rich history spanning continents and centuries, dating to at least 3000 B.C. when they may have been first cultivated in China. The Chinese revered roses. Confucius said that the emperor had a library with 600 books on the subject.

Michelle Plastrik
Michelle Plastrik
Author
Michelle Plastrik is an art adviser living in New York City. She writes on a range of topics, including art history, the art market, museums, art fairs, and special exhibitions.
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