Signs of Spring

Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Promise of Spring, MFA

Susan here, thinking that right now we all need a little breath of fresh air, peacefulness, flowers, something pretty and restorative --and we are all ready for Spring. I know that's true for me! So here's a bit of visual therapy, a little dose of the nutrition of art and beauty, to tide us over. 

Drink deep, friends, and enjoy. There's a story in each one of these pictures, any story you like -- love, renewal, fantasy, mystery, a journey to hope, serenity -- imagine yourself there, breathe deep, relax, and enjoy! Choose a favorite image here and tell us what it brings to you. 

With a nod and a bow to our southern hemisphere friends, who are looking forward to the cooling breezes of Fall right now, here are some springtime pictures and quotes!  

Claude Monet, Spring in Giverny

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. -- Anne Bradstreet

Emilia in the Garden, illustr. Boccaccio's Teseida, 15th c.

Forgive me if, in friendship’s way,
I offer thee a wreath of May.... -

- John Clare, 1830

 

Vincent Van Gogh, Almond Blossom, 1890

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~Rainer Maria Rilke

 

Florence Harrison, illustr., William Morris Early Poems 1914

In That Garden Fair Came Launcelot Walking; This Is True, the Kiss Wherewith We Kissed in Meeting that Spring Day, I Scarce Dare Talk of the Remember'd Bliss -- William Morris, Early Poems, 1914

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. ~Chinese Proverb

 

Pierre-Auguste Cot, Springtime, 1873, The Met

A kind word is like a spring day. -- Russian Proverb

 

John Singer-Sargent, Daffodils, 1894

You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming. ~Pablo Neruda

John William Waterhouse, Flower Picker, c. 1900

Bloom where you are planted. -- I Corinthians 7:20

Claude Monet, Springtime (The Reader), 1872, Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore

There are always flowers for those who want to see them. - Henry Matisse

What's your favorite image here? Tell us about that, and what you love best about spring! (This girl, who loves winter, can't wait for spring this year!)

 

Comments

[Mary Jo Putney]

What wonderful images and quotes, Susan! Like you, I'm ready for sprint. The forsythia and daffodils are starting to blaze forth, the happiest flowers of the year!

[Kareni]

Thank you for a lovely post, Susan! I liked all of the pictures, but my favorite right now is the Chinese print. The flowers look both beautiful and calm.

[Sue McCormick]

Everything here is lovely! i could sit and enjoy the pictures for a very long time. And the quotes are wonderful also.

And for me, the best part is that I can enjoy spring here on this page without the additon of Spring pollens!

[Mary M.]

The Reader, of course! There ARE always flowers, and, hopefully, books.

[Maggie Robinson]

I have the Van Gogh painting as my phone case. The image speaks to two of my daughters and me--independently they each bought a print of it, and if I had room on my walls, I would too. I'm quite satisfied holding it in my hand.:)Lovely things to look at, and goodness knows we need lovely.

[Mary T]

They are all so beautiful!

[Faith]

Thank you, Susan, for this gorgeous, soothing, healing tour of blossoming times. Just what we all need!!!

And my fave is Springtime, because of the curvy, adorably flirty girl and her handsome swain.

Best of health to you all...

[Donna H.]

What a wonderful post! You are right and we do need some lovely paintings and thoughts of Spring right now.
I just love the one with the girl and her sweetheart on the swing! They are both so sweet and innocent in their love and the colours are wonderful as well.

[Joan Wolf]

I like the Van Gogh. I feel badly for people who don't live in a 4 season climate. Spring...It really is an awakening. It's a blessing. It makes you feel young. It makes you want to sing. And it only works this way if you're coming out of winter!