Olga Valle miniature painting from the serie “ Tierra y Amor “ , “ Prosperity “

Olga Valle is a talented Mexican illustrator who combines the ancient technique of anthropological drawing with modern textures and a unique approach.

Beautiful miniature painting from the serie “ Tierra y Amor “ , “ Prosperity “ graphite pencil technique on Fabriano paper 2025 with antique wood frame, circa 1890s

Size framed : 21 cm W x 35 cm L x 3 cm H

OLGA VALLE:
Graduate of the National School of Anthropology and History. My exploration of the anthropology of art led me to rediscover my love for drawing; a way of being and existing in the world through graphite.

BEE :

Bees and honey have a special significance in ancient Roman and Greek traditions. Gods attained immortality by consuming nectar and ambrosia extracted from honey. In later ages, devotees offered honey to the gods and nymphs.

According to Roman mythology, Dionysius grew up in a cave and fed on honey. Although known as the god of wine, Dionysius considered honey a sacred drink. His disciples carried ivy-wrapped wands from which honey poured out—many credit Dionysius for ushering in the practice of beekeeping.

A Greek story associated with bees is the one about Zeus’s birth. His father, Kronos, wanted to end Zeus’s life. To protect her infant son, his mother smuggled him to a secret cave on Mt. Dicte. The cave was home to swarms of sacred bees.

Like Dionysius, Zeus was raised in a cave and lived on the honey produced by the bees. After growing up as a young man, Zeus overthrew his father to become the new king of gods. His childhood experience with bees likely gave him the moniker “Melissaios” or “Bee Man.”