I was taken by surprise one spring day, right after a refreshing rain, when I discovered a vibrant red beacon in my garden. It was the Hippeastrum, a flower I had never seen before. Its petals gleamed with an intensity that rivaled fire when the sunlight caressed them. The ancient Greeks referred to this enchanting bloom as Amaryllis, a name that embodies 'splendor' and 'sparkle.' Its large, bell-shaped flowers seemed almost to echo in your ear like the sound of a ring.
This flower is an everlasting ode to love, with every waterdrop on its petals resembling tears of affection. It's like a page from the ancient poem of Virgil, telling the tale of Amaryllis, the nymph, and her love for the gardener Alteo. My Hippeastrum oil painting captures this timeless love story in all its splendor.