#george mcculloch

Flora and the Zephyrs (1898), by J.W. Waterhouse

Again based on Ovidius, Flora is the Roman goddess of spring, flowers and nature.  Here she is shown being kissed on her arm by Zephyrus, the god of the benevolent western wind, who has brought his disciples: the Zephyrs.  The god traps Flora in a chain of white roses.

The most famous depiction of the same scene is the Primavera from Botticelli. Besides the seduction, Botticelli also showed the pregnancy of Flora.  She is therefore also the goddess of new life.  Waterhouse highlighted that by the voluptuous breasts, which are well exposed by Flora’s raised arms.

The painting was commissioned by George McCulloch, a retired businessman who made a fortune in Australian silver mining.