Article #41 Heartfelt

by Arrachme

The heart symbol, often associated with love, has a long and rich history across cultures and centuries. The first depiction of a heart in medieval French art was a gesture of offering love, where a pinecone-shaped heart was given to a special person. While this may seem like the start of Valentine’s tradition, other fascinating stories contribute to the heart’s connection to love.

One such story centers around silphium, an extinct plant from the North African city of Cyrene. This plant, known for its aromatic properties, was so valuable that it was featured on the coins of the region’s economy. Its heart-shaped leaves and association with fertility, as well as its use in love potions, linked it to the theme of love. The ancient Greeks, in turn, connected the heart symbol to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, further reinforcing the heart’s association with emotions of love, fertility, and rebirth.

Though many cultures have their interpretations and reasons for adopting the heart as a symbol of love, it is universally recognized today. Whether it’s through giving Valentine’s cards, chocolates, or flowers, we all recognize the heart as a symbol of affection and devotion.

Valentine’s Cards

In the U.S., the tradition of giving Valentine’s cards is direct—often signed with a clear and personal message, making it a straightforward way to express love. This tradition, widely recognized in American culture, may seem simple but carries centuries of symbolism and sentiment that continue to resonate today.

My friend told me a story from his childhood in Britain.  It sheds light on the romantic and mysterious tradition of sending anonymous cards as a form of secret admiration. In novels like the Jane Eyre novels, decades could pass by and one might never find out who sent the anonymous Valentine.  This sense of secrecy and emotion is a theme that has also found an expression in the world of art, especially through the works of artists like Marc Chagall and Peter Max.

Symbolism in Art

Marc Chagall, with his dreamy, ethereal style, often used symbolism to convey feelings of love and longing. His fluid, almost mystical approach to shapes and colors—such as hearts with soft or disappearing edges—reflected his belief in painting from the heart. Chagall’s work often captures the emotion behind the image rather than the literal, blending his Jewish heritage, his surrealist influences, and his personal experiences into compositions that evoke a sense of deep emotional connection. The heart, in Chagall’s world, was more than just a symbol of romantic love; it was a vessel for the universal emotions that connect us all, and it often appeared in his works as a subtle yet profound element.

Peter Max, on the other hand, took a different approach in his exploration of love and emotion through art. Emerging in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Max became known for his bold, graphic style was influenced by the counterculture movement. His use of primary colors and simple, easily recognizable shapes, such as hearts, flags, and stars, was an attempt to distill complex emotions into vivid, joyful symbols. Max’s artwork, including pieces like “Angel with Heart,” conveys an exuberance that contrasts with Chagall’s wistful, dreamlike approach. For Max, the heart became a symbol of optimism and positivity, central to the happiness he aimed to express through his art.

In Chagall and Max’s work, the heart remains a powerful symbol. For Chagall, it may be a more intimate, subtle reflection of love, connected to personal and universal themes. For Max, it is a straightforward, joyful image, designed to evoke happiness and positivity. Each artist, in his way, explored the emotional depth and simplicity of the heart—whether it was about hidden, secret love or open, celebratory affection. The heart, as a motif, transcends its use in Valentine’s cards and becomes a versatile symbol that both connects and speaks to the deepest emotions.

“My painting, Liquid Dreams in Flowing Sea, takes on a style reminiscent of Chagall, with smooth, less-defined edges of shapes. As these shapes float downward, they gradually lose their anonymity and ultimately form a heart at the bottom of the composition.”