Cy Twombly's series Analysis of the Rose as Sentimental Despair from 1985 is a profound exploration of the rose's symbolic dimensions, interweaving themes of beauty, decay, and the cyclical nature of life and death. This work stands as a testament to Twombly's unique ability to blend historical and mythological references with a deeply personal and expressive visual language.

Born in Lexington, Virginia, in 1928, Twombly was an artist who defied easy categorization. His work is known for its engagement with the ancient Mediterranean world, Greek and Roman mythology, classical literature, and poetry, elements that he wove into his exuberant and sensuous canvases. Despite being a contemporary of key figures in American postwar art, such as Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns, Twombly's art took a distinct path, eschewing the prevailing trends of his time like Pop Art and Minimalism for a more introspective and layered approach​ (The Menil Collection)​​ (Gagosian)​.

The Analysis of the Rose as Sentimental Despair series reflects Twombly's fascination with the intersections of narrative, language, and inner visions. He managed to create works that are both deeply personal and mythologically rich, using gestures and colors charged with energy, spirituality, and meaning. The series is noted for its floral forms rendered in deep reds, pinks, and purples, accompanied by quotations from poets such as Rainer Maria Rilke, Rumi, and Giacomo Leopardi, underscoring Twombly's lifelong engagement with poetry and literature​ (Gagosian)​.

Twombly's work is characterized by its gestural vocabulary, where each line and color seems to be infused with a narrative or emotional intensity. His approach combined abstract expression with classical references, creating a unique blend that makes his work resonate with viewers on multiple levels. The series not only showcases Twombly's technical mastery and innovative use of materials but also offers insight into his intellectual and emotional world, bridging the gap between the past and the present, the personal and the universal.

For Twombly, the act of creation was not about displacing the past but about adding a new link to the chain of history, a philosophy that is vividly expressed in the Analysis of the Rose as Sentimental Despair series. Through his art, Twombly invites us to contemplate the beauty of transience and the eternal cycles of nature and human emotion, making his work a poignant reflection on the human condition​ (Gagosian)​.