Top Ten for Valentine’s Day

Posted by Amanda Hadley

Valentine’s day is the perfect time to celebrate the magic of love. Love can come in many forms and be inspired by a wide variety of things. Art often tries to capture the emotions being felt when a person is in love and can be a great way to express your own feelings. We at Overstockart.com have compiled a list of ten wonderful paintings that can convey various depths of love to that special someone in your life. There is no wrong way to tell someone you love them, but these might be the perfect statement to make when words allude you.

1. The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

The painting depicts a couple surrounded by a gold blanket and ornaments sharing a moment of sheer passion – the perfect kiss. The two seem to be positioned on a flower field, kissing, totally engaged with one another. The identities of the two people have been a long time secret, open to much speculation but never revealed. That only adds to the romantic mystery of the scene, to be shared with someone you love.

Created 1907 in Austria

2. Discarded Roses by Pierre Auguste-Renoir

Discarded Roses was carefully painted in painstaking detail, Renoir brings enchantment in the form of a beautiful spray of roses that have been sadly forsaken. Renoir’s beautiful depiction of the roses, including a luxurious display of texture and color, is something truly stunning to behold. It brings to mind the idea of a lost love and the brief moment that love can last. This still life can add warmth and romance to any room in your house.

Created 1875 in France

3. Poppies By John Singer Sargent

This beautiful painting featuring an image of poppies in a natural scene, rather than a still life, shows the beauty of things in a natural setting. The vibrant red color draws in the eye while the soothing blues add a calming effect. This is the kind of painting that could help create a romantic setting for an evening in with someone you care about by bringing the beauty of nature inside the home.

Created 1886 in the United States

4. The Kiss by Francesco Hayez

The painting depicts a couple from the middle ages embracing while they kiss each other and is considered among the most passionate and intense representations of a kiss. The two people are painted partly in the shadows so that the kiss itself becomes the focal point. You can almost feel the desperate longing in the action, as they prepare to be parted. This piece would be good as a gift to a person who is loved but is far away.

Created 1859 in Italy

5. That’s a Good Cab by Michael Hitt

That’s a Good Cab is a beautiful painting by contemporary artist Michael Hitt and depicts two glasses of wine being poured, hopefully for a couple’s enjoyment. It uses bright colors and abstract brush strokes to give it an energetic feeling. Let that energy reignite a spark with someone you love and encourage you to do something unexpected for the evening.

Created 2012 in the United States

6. Fulfillment- the Embrace ( Luxury Line) by Gustav Klimt

Making a second appearance on the list is another romantic piece of symbolism by Gustav Klimt. In this image we see a couple embracing each other with unrestrained passion. The man’s back is turned but the woman’s expression is one of deep emotion. Painted with the inclusion of gold foil, it is a rich and powerful statement piece to add to any home.

Created 1909 in Austria

7. Branches of an Almond Tree in Blossom by Vincent Van Gogh

Painted to celebrate the love the painter had for a child in his family, this piece represents the innocence love can have. It shows a great deal of beauty and fragility in the tiny flowers blossoming against the rich colored background. This might be the perfect gift for a new relationship that is just beginning to bloom.

Created 1888 in France

8. Flowers in a Crystal Vase II by Edouard Manet

Painted towards the end of his career, Edouard Manet captures the delicate beauty in this still life of flowers against a calm gray background. This piece takes a more subtle approach to the expression of love and will impress those you love without being dramatic. The combination of soft lines and pale colors will add elegance to the wall of your choice.

Created 1882 in France

9. The Swing by Jean Honore-Fragonard

Loving someone from afar is a common theme in art, but nothing captures the youthful spirit of it than this piece by Jean Honore-Fragonard. While the girl swings freely and enjoys the exhilaration of flying through the air, we can see her admirer hiding in the bushes. He appears content to simply watch her and her happiness from a distance. Perhaps this could be a way to express feelings to someone you care for who it unaware.

Created 1765 in France

10. Songs of Spring by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Often love can be about hope and renewal, reflecting the same ideas of springtime. The soft curves and delicate coloring of the woman with her cherub admirers are a lovely sight. Delicate flowers, lush greenery, and lighthearted mythological subject matter all give it a sense of revitalization. Brighten up any space by giving it the touch of a beautiful woman.

Created 1889 in France

We here at OverstockArt believe that a great piece of art can create strong feelings in an audience and we want to help you find the right piece to convey the way you feel. If you don’t feel these match what you are looking for, explore our romance gallery for more suggestions. Take a chance and give someone an image that they can keep forever and cherish as a symbol of your feelings.

About the Author Amanda Hadley

Amanda graduated from the University of Kansas, where she studied English literature and got a masters degree in library sciences. She enjoys reading, cooking and playing with her nephews. Her best friend is her little dog Brady.

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