The white lily is the flower the Archangel Gabriel presents to Mary in scenes of the Annunciation. It's a symbol of purity... In this painting, there are hundreds of them at midnight, with an owl and two bats above, while a third bat glides right at flower level. Artwork: In the Night (Nel notturno). Artist: Achille Casanova (1861-1948), a Bolognese painter and decorator. Date: circa 1894-1897.