Bouquet of violets Symbolism
A bouquet of violets signals modesty and discreet, steadfast affection—a quiet token of tenderness conveyed without display. In our collection, Édouard Manet’s Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets (1872) exemplifies this meaning, letting a tiny violet knot speak intimacy within a restrained modern portrait.
Bouquet of violets in Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets
Manet builds Berthe Morisot with a Bouquet of Violets (1872) as a symphony in black: hat, scarf, and coat merge into a single dark silhouette, the face is carved by cool side light, and the eyes are painted strikingly black for effect. Against this refined restraint, the single touch of violets punctuates the composition and introduces a discreet, coded tenderness. The bouquet’s small scale and subdued placement align the flower’s symbolism with Morisot’s poise—an emblem of modesty and private feeling rather than public declaration.
