Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May (1908), by J.W. Waterhouse The title is dra

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May (1908), by J.W. Waterhouse The title is drawn from a famous poem written in 1648 by Robert Herrick (see below for the complete version).  It describes the need to live in the moment (carpe diem) because life is short and beauty is only temporary.  This theme fits well with Waterhouse’s other works, but it should also be seen in the time when this was painted because in the same year there was a big demonstration in Manchester by the Women’s Social and Political Union to call for equal rights for women. There are no records about Waterhouse’s political opinions, but the association of female beauty with flowers was certainly something that the suffragettes did not approve of.Waterhouse gave the same name to another picture that he painted one year later.  It is however very different in composition, so it will be presented separately.Apologies for the silent period, but I will try to resume this blog more frequently in the new year.To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time (by R. Herrick, 1648)Gather ye Rose-buds while ye may,    Old Time is still a-flying:And this same flower that smiles today,    Tomorrow will be dying.The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun,    The higher he’s a getting;The sooner will his Race be run,    And nearer he’s to Setting.That Age is best, which is the first,    When Youth and Blood are warmer;But being spent, the worse, and worst    Times, still succeed the former.Then be not coy, but use your time;    And while ye may, go marry:For having lost but once your prime,    You may forever tarry. -- source link

More pics about