Painting poppy flowers, beauties of love and death
Poppy flowers bloom not only in fields and meadows, but - in my paintings - also among the stars in the vastness of space. They express the consolation of dying, the certainty of death. In poetry, they are considered the flowers of love, eternal lovers. They are the true inspiration for my paintings.
Poppy Nebula
Poppies have a rich history in art and literature, and their symbolism is multifaceted. In my paintings, they are often depicted as a symbol of transience, but also of hope and renewal. The delicate petals and vibrant colors of the poppy remind me of the fragility and beauty of life, and inspire me to embrace each moment with gratitude and joy.
The poppy's association with death and sleep can be traced back to ancient times. In Greek mythology, poppies were linked to Hypnos, the god of sleep, and Thanatos, the god of death. In my paintings, poppies are sometimes used to evoke a sense of peacefulness and restfulness, but they can also symbolize the finality of death and the inevitability of the passage of time.
The red poppy has also become a symbol of remembrance and tribute to fallen soldiers in many countries around the world. In my paintings, the poppy is sometimes used to represent sacrifice, honor, and patriotism. The poppy's bright red color and delicate petals remind us of the bravery and selflessness of those who have given their lives in service to their country.
Despite its association with death, the poppy has also come to symbolize hope and renewal. In my paintings, poppies are often depicted in fields of green grass, blooming brightly and joyfully. The poppy's resilience in the face of adversity reminds us of our own capacity for growth and renewal, and inspires us to embrace life with optimism and courage.
The Story about History
Poppy is one of the oldest cultivated plants, with opium production dating back to the Neolithic period (around 6000 BC) in southern Europe. Sumerian artifacts from 4000 BC show the use of poppy seeds for pharmaceutical production.
Poppy cultivation and the use of opium were known to the ancient Cretans. The ancient Greeks called opium poppy juice, from which it acquired a modern name for opium. Opium has been used to treat asthma, gastrointestinal diseases and blindness. In ancient Greece, there are archeological finds, showing that the Greeks used opium for ritual and medical purposes. The capsule of the poppy was a symbol of Morpheus, the god of dreams, Nyx, the goddess of the night, and Thanatos, the god of death.
In the Bronze Age, mass-produced bottles shaped like opium capsules were found in Cyprus, where the ancient Egyptians imported opium from and later cultivated their own poppy plantations in the Nile valley for use in worship.
During the Roman Empire, opium was commonly used as medicine by the wealthy, with evidence of large amounts found.s. In the remnants of the imperial palace from year 214 , 17 tons of opium were calculated.
Exploring the Beauty of Poppy Flowers in my Paintings
My love for poppy flowers is reflected in my paintings, where I capture their unique beauty and symbolism. In one of my paintings, two large orange poppies are depicted against a bright blue sky, with tiny suns within them. The image evokes a sense of warmth, joy, and hope, reminding us of the power of nature to lift our spirits and inspire us.
In another painting, I have created a stellar image with a large red tulip between stars and nebula swirls, symbolizing the power and resilience of nature in the face of the vastness of the universe.
Another painting features a large red tulip amidst a stunning celestial backdrop, with stars and nebula swirls. The painting represents the beauty of life and the vastness of the universe, with the tulip symbolizing the delicate balance between the two. The image is both beautiful and mysterious, evoking a sense of wonder and awe at the natural world.
One of my paintings captures a young orange poppy with dew drops on its petals, set against a background of violent space and stars. This juxtaposition of delicate beauty and cosmic chaos creates a sense of awe and wonder.
Another painting depicts a spiral galaxy in the night sky, beneath a field of red tulips and blue flowers. The vibrant colors and cosmic backdrop remind us of the interconnectedness of all things in the universe. In another painting, a spiral galaxy dominates the night sky, with a field of red tulips and blue flowers in the foreground. The painting represents the interconnectedness of all things in the universe, and the beauty of the natural world.
Since 1100 Chinese have been using opium for medical purposes. The First and Second Opium Wars between China, the British Empire and France took place between 1830 and 1860. The Chinese tried to stop the opium smuggled by Western businessmen into their country.
Many contemporary writers, especially in the 19th century, wrote about the opium and its effects, particularly Thomas de Quincey in the Confessions of an English Opium-Eater. French composer Hector Berlioz used opium for inspiration, creating Symphonie Fantastique, where a young artist overdoses opium and experiences visions of unfulfilled love.
Early Christianity saw in sickness God's punishment and in the 4th century prohibited the use of opium as an analgesic. Charles the Great renewed the ban in 810. Opium was seen as Satan's activity.
The extraordinary significance of the discovery of opium for humans is well understood. For the first time in medical healing, medical interventions have become bearable.