204 FLORAL SYMBOLISM 



no inherited love of floral offerings, and we 

 seldom find these votive vases or wreaths. 



The Madonna attributed to Mabuse in the 

 Prado has a large vase of roses placed directly 

 below her, but as a rule in Northern art the 

 flowers are introduced strictly as symbols to 

 recall some aspect or function of the Virgin or 

 of her Divine Son. 



In an ' Adoration ' the surrounding angels 

 bring their roses and their lihes in tribute to 

 the smless Child. As Saint Mectilda says: 



* The lily figures His innocence and the rose 

 His invincible patience.' ' 



Where the Virgin is seated enthroned, sur- 

 rounded by saints and angels, even though 

 the Holy Child is upon her knee, all symbols 

 except that which the Child holds in His hand 

 refer again to her. 



It is rare, however, that, when holding the 

 Child, she carries her own attribute herself. 

 Usually the symbols, flowers or fruit, are held 

 by angels or laid beside her throne, but in the 

 large * Enthroned Madonna ' of SignoreUi,^ a 

 painter who showed some originality in his use 



' spiritual Grace. * Pinacoteca, Arezzo. 



