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It is no mystery that romance has been the subject of many art pieces throughout history. Whether it be a portrayal of a Shakespearean play or a ’90s romcom movie poster, romantic art is basically as old as art itself. In honor of my cousin, who is getting married to his future wife, I decided to create an article showcasing romantic art from the past 100 years.
1920s: The Lovers that Passed Him By by George Bellows
The Lovers that Passed Him By by George Bellows is a lithographic print from 1923. It depicts a nude couple together in a forest. I chose this artwork since it depicts a couple in an intimate situation without sexualizing the nudity of either person. It makes their affection seem genuine.
1930s: Classic Studio, Davison Street, June 26, 1937 [Wedding portrait] by Unknown Artist
Classic Studio, Davison Street, June 26, 1937 [Wedding portrait] is a photograph taken by an unknown artist in 1937. It was made with a gelatin silver print to which color was applied. It depicts a young married couple on their wedding day. I like this photo since it must have taken a lot of effort to properly color a black and white photo in order to make it look like it was taken in color. I also enjoy that it is a genuine glimpse into the life of this couple and what was hopefully a very special and happy day.
1940s: What Price Romance from Exhibit Comics Cards (W431) by Exhibit Supply Company
What Price Romance from Exhibit Comics Cards (W431) is a trading card published in 1940 by Exhibit Supply Company. It is a color photolithograph. It is targeted towards female readers and encourages them to utilize flirting methods used by actresses in movies to improve their love life. It also includes a picture of a young couple in front of a mirror. I like this art piece because of its pretty color scheme. I also like that the couple is dressed formally, implying that they are going to go on or have already gone on a date. It makes it seem like they enjoy spending time together as they are genuinely in love.
1950s: Le Baiser du Trottier (Sidewalk Kiss) by Robert Doisneau
Le Baiser du Trottier (Sidewalk Kiss) is a photograph taken by Robert Doisneau in France in 1950. The photograph depicts a young couple kissing on a sidewalk, while a couple of onlookers stare at them as they walk by. I like this photograph because the couple in it does not seem to care that they are being looked at. They simply are too busy showcasing their affection for each other with a kiss. This confidence shows that they care more about each other than what other people might think about them, which I think is admirable.
1960s: Uptown Chicago by Danny Lyon
Uptown Chicago is a photograph taken by Danny Lyon in 1965 and published in 1979. The picture seems to depict a couple in an apartment, which is presumably in Uptown Chicago. The woman has hair curlers in her hair, so the apartment is likely either where only she lives or where both of them live. I like this image because the apartment looks lived in. There is miscellaneous clutter throughout the room, especially on the small table next to the chair. It makes the photo seem more realistic.
1970s: Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr. and Robert Mapplethorpe by Francesco Scavullo
Samuel J. Wagstaff Jr. and Robert Mapplethorpe is a photo taken by Francesco Scavullo in 1974 and published in 1987. The picture depicts the titular men together with one of them wrapping his arms around the other. This portrait is related to love since Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe were lovers. I like this photograph since Wagstaff and Mapplethorpe look straight at the camera with straight faces, showing that they are unapologetic in their love. This confidence in a relationship is something worth aspiring to for any couple, regardless of sexuality.
1980s: Chicagofest by Barbara Crane
Chicagofest by Barbara Crane is an artwork from 1982. It consists of a cropped image of an embracing couple presumably at Chicagofest, a music festival in Chicago that occurred annually between 1978-1983. I like this image because it depicts a young couple, but it does not focus on their uniqueness as individuals by showing their faces. Rather, it focuses on their embrace, which showcases the love between them. This reminds me that love is universal. Anybody can embrace their lover, provided they have one, regardless of what they are like.
1990s: Russia (Couple) by Mauro Restiffe
Russia (Couple) is a photo taken in 1995 by Mauro Restiffe. It depicts a couple, presumably in Russia, looking at each other. The photo is in black and white. I like this image because it appears to be an ordinary image in the daily life of this couple. Despite this, it shows the couple looking at each other and making sure that the other is close by. Mundane displays of affection are a typical trait in romance that is often overlooked, but very important and realistic regarding relationships.
2000s: Kissing Couple in Jean Pants and Green Bathroom by Christian Holstad
Kissing Couple in Jean Pants and Green Bathroom is an artwork from 2003 made by Christian Holstad. One man appears to be unbuttoning the pants of another while they are in a colorful bathroom. Holstad depicted this sexual encounter in a vibrant and beautiful environment in order to counter the taboo of homosexual relationships. I think that the idea that love is beautiful and should not be frowned upon due to ignorance (homophobia, racism, etc.) is a very important message that can resonate with many people.
2010s: Romance at Cartier by Marta Soul
Romance at Cartier by Marta Soul is a photograph taken in 2010. It depicts a couple kissing in a Cartier branch. Cartier is a luxury jeweler and the 56th most valuable brand on Earth. The current CEO of the company is Stanislas de Quercize, and it is headquartered in Paris, France.
I like this photo since this artwork showcases the luxurious joy associated with love. The couple is both wearing formal wear while kissing in a luxury jeweler, which associates decadence with romance. In addition, Cartier was founded in 1847, so the act of kissing in a Cartier has been a possibility for over 200 years, showcasing that love is nothing new.
2020s: Yvonne and James II by Jordan CasteelYvonne and James II by Jordan Casteel is an oil painting created in 2021. Pictured is the titular James with a portrait of him and Yvonne on their wedding day. Yvonne died shortly before the painting was published. I like this artwork since it shows that one can still love their loved ones even after they are gone. James still chooses to be pictured with Yvonne by showing a picture of a very important event in their relationship. He still loves her, even when she is gone, and that showcases love’s longevity. In addition, James showing his and Yvonne’s wedding photo as a sign of his affection shows that love can be immortalized through art such as pictures and paintings.