302 i Flora Unveiled
Finally, Mary’s title “Mystic Rose” is illustrated in the exquisite eighteenth- century engrav-
ing by the renowned Augsburg artist Josef Sebastian Klauber (Figure 11.3).^41 Reminiscent of
an Egyptian tree goddess emerging from her sacred tree (Chapter 5), Mary emerges from a
huge rose blossom holding a stalk of lilies, symbolizing her virginity and purity The rose is
“mystical” because it symbolizes the paradox of virgin birth and the unfathomable role of
(a)Figure 11.2 Fifteenth- century paintings of Mary in her rose garden. A. Stefan Lochner,
Madonna im Rosenhag (1448), Wallraf- Richartz- Museum. B. Martin Schongauer (1473), Cathedral
of Colmar.
A is from Wallraf- R ichartz- Museum. B is from Cathedral of Colmar.