10 most famous love paintings

Happy Valentines Day Art, etc. followers!

Love is hard to define but has been explored by many artist throughout history. Check out these 10 paintings and sculptures based on LOVE! Enjoy!

 

Love – Robert Indiana

Love is an iconic sculpture by American Pop artist Robert Indiana. There are several versions, at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Philadelphia Museum of Art and the one above located in New York City, USA. The original design was actually for a Christmas card (1964) for the Museum of Modern Art. The design has also been reproduced countless times in popular culture.

Siesta – Van Gogh

Siesta was painted in 1890 while the impressionist painter stayed at St. Rémy. The painting is a copy of one of Jean Francois Millet’s etchings. A relaxed couple naps in the shade of a haystack, during midday. The movement created by the brush strokes are more relaxed that much of his work at the time – Van Gogh truly captured a peachful moment in time in this painting. The painting can be viewed at Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.

The Kiss – Auguste Rodin

This marble sculpture was created by Rodin in 1889.  Originally modeled after Paolo and Francesca, from Dante’s Divine Comedy, The Kiss was meant to reside in Rodin’s The Gates of Hell. Initially, the sculpture was not viewed to the public due to is erotic imagery; however, it has become one of the most famous marble sculptures in art history. The sculpture now appears at the Musée Rodin in Paris, France.

The Kiss – Gustav Klimt

The Kiss (1907-1908) is a much loved painting by Gustav Klimt, an Austrian painter.
The painting displays an embracing couple, surrounded by patterns using oil and gold leaf in the robes. The style was highly influenced by the arts and crafts movement and Art Nouveau. Currently, the painting can be viewed at Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna.

In The Garden – Pierre Auguste Renoir

In the Garden was painted in 1885, and it is currently displayed at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The man gazes at the lady, seemingly eager to capture her attention. He holds one hand and wraps the other around her waist, while she gazes at the viewer. The love of the young man seems to be unrequited.

The Kiss – Edvard Munch

Edvard Munch captured the passion of love in this powerful expressionist painting The Kiss (1897). This dramatic images hows a couple locked together in a kiss. The figures are melded together in an embrace, oblivious of anything else but each other. The Kiss can be seen at The Munch Museum.

 

Dance in the Country – Pierre Auguste Renoir

Dance in the Country is an oil on canvas painted by Renoir in 1883. The painting depicts a dancing couple. The couple appears to be engrossed in the music and each other as they dance, accentuated by the appearance of a dropped hat and messy table. The painting can be seen at Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France.

Le Printemps (Spring) – Pierre Auguste Cot

This oil on canvas painting was painted by Pierre Auguste Cot in 1873. The painting depicts young lovers sharing a swing. Butterflies, flowers and water that surround the couple are symbols of nature’s rebirth and life. As the couple gaze at each other, while the girl embraces the young man in this dense hidden forest. The painting can be viewed at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.

Return of the Prodical Son – Rembrandt

This painting is Rembrandt’s interpretation of the parable of the prodical son from the Bible. The oil painting was created two years before Rembrandt’s death and is considered one of his finest works of art.

The love shown in this painting is unconditional – the type of love that comes from a forgiving parent. The father embraces his son and welcomes him home after squandering his inheritance – the other son stands judgementally. The painting currently resides in Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

The Lovers – Rene Magritte

The Lovers (1928) is a painting by French surrealist Rene Magritte.

The painting depicts a veiled couple embracing and kissing. Like most of Magritte’s paintings, it can be interpreted in multiple ways. Obviously symbolic, many have speculated about why the couple is veiled. Perhaps the veil symbolize that “Love is blind”? The Lovers can be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

 

Some photos from the original post were not preserved in the web archive and could not be restored.