ROSES Jean Honore Fragonard (1732-1806)

This artwork, titled Roses, presents a diptych featuring two oval portraits of young women adorned with the flower. The overall aesthetic is delicate and romantic, characteristic of Rococo art.
In the left portrait, a young woman with her hair styled in curls and decorated with a floral circlet, including blue ribbons, is depicted. Her hands are raised, delicately positioned near her face, her expression thoughtful and perhaps a little coy. She wears a flowing, pale yellow gown with voluminous sleeves and a pink undergarment visible. Roses are also present at the base of the portrait, suggesting a connection to nature and beauty.
The right portrait shows another young woman, also with light hair, crowned with a wreath of roses. She is dressed in a similar pale yellow gown, this time embellished with a cascade of pink roses around her décolletage and neck. Her posture is more direct, with a gentle smile and her hands gracefully holding some of the roses, almost as if presenting them. The background on the right features more roses and foliage, reinforcing the floral theme.
The subtext of Roses likely revolves around themes of youth, beauty, innocence, and perhaps the fleeting nature of these qualities, symbolized by the ephemeral beauty of flowers. The abundance of roses can also suggest love, romance, and sensuality. The Rococo style, with its emphasis on elegance, refinement, and pleasure, further supports these interpretations. The dual portraits might represent different facets of femininity or a celebration of feminine beauty in its various expressions. The title itself, Roses, is a direct and clear evocation of these same themes.