Messenger

Iris species are perennial flowering plants native to temperate regions of Europe and western Asia. They occur along riverbanks, in open meadows, at woodland margins, and within long-established garden settings. In ancient Greek mythology, the iris is associated with Iris - a divine figure - who carried messages between the Olympian gods and the human world. References to this role appear in early Greek literary sources, including the Homeric epics. Roman writers retained this messenger role in later literary traditions. Several iris species were cultivated in the Mediterranean basin during antiquity. Medical authors of the Roman era describe the collection of iris rhizomes for expectorant, purgative, and diuretic preparations. After harvesting, the rhizomes were dried and aged to concentrate aromatic and medicinal properties. These preparations were applied in the treatment of ailments affecting breathing, digestion, and fluid balance. Irises appear in Roman decorative arts, including wall paintings, mosaics, and architectural reliefs, and are also documented in funerary contexts, where garden imagery drawn from domestic settings was commonly reused.

Watercolor on paper, 2025
24x16 cm