As far back as ancient Egyptian times, if not earlier, flowering plants have been depicted on temple and tomb walls in the form of paintings. In Roman times, plant paintings adorned the walls of tombs and homes as decoration. Starting in the Middle Ages but coming into its own during the Renaissance, artists started rendering flowers as frescos (a type of wall painting where the pigment is imbued into wet plaster) but also onto canvas. These paintings were created, often commissioned, to show off the wealth of those who could afford this luxury. Flower paintings were now being hung in people's homes rather than painted directly onto their walls or to adorn the walls of tombs. This art was meant to be seen on a day-to-day basis to beautify homes and to impress visitors. A new shift in art perspective had come into being. From the Renaissance onward, flowers show up as painting subjects in art schools and my art classes are no exception. Flowers are colourful, interesting, varied subjects, and are available inexpensively for anyone who dares to take the time to stop, to observe, and to paint.
