THE BEAUTY OF ROSES
ROSES are so important in this collection of paintings from artist Clémence St. Laurent that they have their own page here. Since the rose has a long history with human civilization in several aspects, some bits of information and quotes are also presented.
THE WATERMARK ON THE PHOTOS DOES NOT APPEAR ON THE ACTUAL PAINTINGS.
Measurements are in inches, and the first number is the height. For centimeters please visit the 'Dimensions' page.
Prices are in Canadian dollars. To place an order please go to this page: ORDERING.
To enjoy the beauty of roses at their natural, you can visit these garden websites:
https://www.gardensofnewzealand.info/
https://www.connecticutgardens.info/
For easier viewing, the rose paintings have been classified according to whether they are sprays or in a vase, and the sprays are presented according to their color.
Finally, some information is provided with each rose category:
PINK – Roses in literature
RED – Rose offerings
YELLOW – Perfumery and culinary uses
WHITE – Symbolism
MIXED COLORS – More information
IN A VASE – Growing roses
PINK – Roses in literature
What’s in a name? that which we call a roseBy any other name would smell as sweet. (Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
Of all flowres methinks a rose is best. (Shakespeare, The Two Noble Kinsmen)
Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose. (Gertrude Stein, Sacred Emily) Interpreted to mean that things are what they are (Law of Identity)
Le Roman de la Rose is a huge poem (some 20,000 lines) of France’s 13th century on the Art of Love. Translated versions influenced writers in many countries.
O rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm
That flies in the night
In the howling storm
Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.
by William Blake, The Sick Rose
The Rose being an emblem of England, it is often referred to in its literature, for example in "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll.
But rose poetry dates back millennia. Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you – Modern version of a 1590 poem by Edmund Spencer, "The Faerie Queene".
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| My Roses, 12 x 9 |
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| Your Choice, 8 x 6 |
My Roses - oil, 12 x 9, 1972 - $1,635
Your Choice - oil, 8 x 6, March 1997 - $935
RED – Rose offerings
Valentine Day dates back from the Roman era. Initially it was a day to celebrate Christian martyrs.
Valentine began to be associated with courtly love by Geoffrey Chaucer in England’s 13th century. Then in the 1700s, lovers were presenting confectionery and greeting cards on that day.
From England, Valentine traditions spread through many parts of the world, becoming more commercialized in the process.
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| Passion, 5 x 4 |
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| Comforting You, 7 x 5 |
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| With All My Love, 7 x 5 |
Comforting You - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
With All My Love - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
YELLOW – perfumery and culinary uses
In addition, roses and their products are used in foods. For example Turkish Delight is a dessert using rose water. Rose petals have a delicate flavor. Rose hips are rich in Vitamin C.
Roses were long cultivated by kings and other privileged people. They were also grown in monasteries for religious and medicinal purposes.
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| Morning Sunrise, 8 x 6 |
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| Yellow Sensation, 7 x 5 |
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| Sunny Roses for You, 8 x 6 |
Morning Sunrise - oil, 8 x 6, 1995 - $925
Yellow Sensation - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
Sunny Roses for You - oil, 8 x 6 - $935
WHITE – Symbolism
The WAR OF THE ROSES is named after a war between the House of York (White Rose) and the House of Lancaster (Red Rose), in 15th century England.
Some US states and one Canadian province have the rose as their flower emblem:
Alberta (wild rose);
DC (American Beauty rose);
Georgia (Cherokee rose);
Iowa (pasture rose); and
North Dakota (wild prairie rose).
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| Cloud Nine, 5 x 4 |
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| Eternity, 7 x 5 |
Cloud Nine - oil, 5 x 4 - $580
Eternity - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
MIXED COLORS – More information
The first mention or illustration of roses dates back some 5,000 years. Artist Clémence St. Laurent adds to this long tradition with her unique style of painting beautiful roses.
The oldest living rose is the ‘Thousand Year Rose‘, a climbing dog rose on the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. It’s around 700 years old!
A BED OF ROSES: similar meaning to ‘la dolce vita’, i.e. life of ease and pleasure.
NO ROSE WITHOUT A THORN: a pleasure comes with something to detract from it.
UNDER THE ROSE: in strict confidence.
GOLD-DIPPED ROSES: a technique for preserving roses with gold, to offer as a gift to a significant other.
GOLDEN ROSE: a spray of roses made of gold, blessed by the pope and conferred to cities or churches for their services to the Catholic church.
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| My Bouquet, 5 x 4 |
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| Tender Feelings, 8 x 6 |
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| Flowers for an Occasion, 7 x 5 |
My Bouquet - oil, 5 x 4 - $580
Tender Feelings - oil, 8 x 6 - $925
Flowers for an Occasion - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
IN A VASE – Growing roses
Napoleon's first wife, Josephine, developed vast gardens at the chateau of Malmaison, among them a large collection of roses.
The rose originated from Asia. Today there are about 100 known species of roses, but thousands of cultivars.
Roses interbreed easily but the results are not always predictable.
A ROSARIAN is an expert on roses, such as a breeder or a grower.
DAVID AUSTIN is a British rosarian, known for developing the English rose cultivars.
ROSES are classified according to different characteristics – growth habit, hybridization history, rusticity, color, old vs modern.
ROSE SOCIETIES have been instrumental in the selection of modern roses and their popularity in gardens all over the world.
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| Cascading Roses, 7 x 5 |
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| Aerial Fragrance, 7 x 5 |
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| To Please You, 8 x 6 |
Cascading Roses - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
Aerial Fragrance - oil, 7 x 5 - $755
To Please You - oil, 8 x 6 - $935
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| Heart of Gold, 10 x 8 |
Heart of Gold - oil, 10 x 8 - $1,325
To enjoy roses in gardens, please visit these websites:
https://www.gardensofnewzealand.info/
https://www.connecticutgardens.info/