Gordon Beningfield (British, 1936 - 1998) "Passionflower" Signed lower right. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover of the U.S. 29c Passionflower stamp issued July 24, 1992.
The bizarre blossom of passionflower is typical of the showy, surreal forms of tropical flowers. Passionflower grows throughout the southeastern United States in sandy soils of fields and thickets. A popular addition to gardens, passionflower blooms from May to August. The fruit -- called a maypop -- is a fleshy yellow berry about the size of a lemon and can be eaten raw or made into juice or jelly. The plant also has been used as a folk remedy for various ailments. Catholic missionaries in South America associated the flower with the crucifixion of Christ and called it flos passionis or flor de las cinco llagas -- flower of five wounds. According to folklore, each part of the flower symbolizes some aspect of Christ's passion: the petals and sepals represent the 10 faithful apostles; the fringed corona stands for the crown of thorns; the knobby stigmas resemble the nails; and the five stamens represent the five wounds.
Image Size: 7 x 6 in.
Overall Size: 12 x 11 in.
Unframed. (B13477)
Condition
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