Art using the word love

A round-up list of top paintings of love in art. The theme of “love” is one of the most commonly used metaphors in all artistic mediums. Claude Monet, Edouard Monet, Raja Ravi Varma, Renoir, etc. are few of the great artists who have created the greatest works of art using love as the central theme.

Christ among Doctors by Albrecht Dürer

Christ among doctors is a painting produced by Albrecht Dürer in 1506. There is an inscription which says Opus Quinque Dierum’ meaning ‘Made in five days’ so it is believed that Christ among doctors was completed in just five days.

The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons by Jacques Louis David

The Lictors Bring to Brutus the Bodies of His Sons is a painting produced by Jacques Louis David in 1789. The original title of this painting was too long and goes like this Brutus returning home after having sentenced his sons for plotting a tarquinian restoration and conspiring against roman freedom, the Lictors burnt their bodies to be buried.

Oath of the Horatii by Jacques Louis David

Oath of the Horatti is a painting produced by Jacques Louis David in 1784. This painting is from Neoclassical style and thus known to be one of the best among that style. In this painting, a father is holding swords of his son going to war.

Andromache Mourning Hector by Jacques Louis David

Andromache Mourning Hector is a painting produced by Jacques Louis David in 1783. Achilles killed hector who was Andromache husband and thus she’s mourning over his death while the child gave comfort to his mother. The painting can be viewed at Musée du Louvre, Paris.

The Death of Leonardo da Vinci by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

The Death of Leonardo da Vinci is a painting produced by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres in 1818. The french painter painted the death of the greatest artist of all time Leonardo da vinci with king Francis I of France holding his head and receiving his last breath.

Family Reunion by Frederic Bazille

Family Reunion is a painting produced by Frederic Bazille in 1867. This painting if tried to be painted in black and white then it’ll certainly pass as photographs. This painting can be viewed at Musee d’Orsay, Paris.

Doni Tondo by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Doni Tondo is a painting produced by Michelangelo Buonarroti between 1506 and 1507. This painting is also widely known by the name Doni Madonna or The Holy Family. Doni tondo painting is influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, The Virgin and Child with St.Anne.

The Lovers by Rene Magritte

The Lovers is a painting produced by Rene Magritte in 1928. The Belgian artist was only 30 years old when she painted The Lovers. In this painting, two figures were shown, one male and the other female locked in an embrace.

The Cradle by Berthe Morisot

The Cradle is a painting produced by Berthe Morisot in 1872. Exactly after two years, this painting was exhibited at Impressionist exhibition in 1874. The Cradle is Berthe Morisot most famous works of all time and she was the first woman who exhibited a painting.

Madonna and Child and Two Angels by Filippo Lippi

The Madonna and Child and Two Angels is a painting produced by Filippo Lippi around 1465. This painting is regarded as one of the most famous and admired masterpieces of The Renaissance period. This painting can be viewed at Uffizi Gallery, Florence.

The Bolt by Jean Honore Fragonard

The Bolt is a painting produced by Jean Honore Fragonard around 1778. In this painting, a young man is shown who is reaching the bolt (right hand) in order to detain his loved one. The painting can be viewed at Museum Louvre.

Bacchus and Ariadne by Titian

Bacchus and Ariadne is a painting produced by Titian between 1522 and 1523. This painting is one of the prominent masterpieces of Italian Renaissance paintings. This painting tells the story of Ariadne who was the daughter of King Menos and Bacchus who was a god.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

The Kiss is a painting produced by Gustav Klimt between 1907 and 1908. This painting was developed around the Golden period and it depicts a couple embracing, their bodies entwined in elaborate robes. This painting can be viewed at Osterreichische Galerie Belvedere museum in the Belvedere palace, Vienna.

The Subject of Pregnancy Art – Hope II by Gustav Klimt

With Father Lathuille by Édouard Manet

With Father, Lathuille is a painting produced by Édouard Manet in 1879. The subject of this painting was a famous cabaret of father Lathuille and then a restaurant of the Batignolles. This painting can be viewed at Museum of Fine Arts of Tournai.

The Fisherman and the Syren by Frederic Leighton

The Fisherman and the Syren is a painting produced by Frederic Leighton in 1857. It depicts two figures, one male who is a fisherman and the other female who is Syren and they represents in an embracing position. This painting can be viewed at Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, Bristol, UK.

Sohni Mahiwal by Sobha Singh

Sohni Mahiwal is a painting produced by Sobha Singh in 2013. It is regarded as one of the four tragic romances of Punjab, India. Sohni was a heroine who got married to a man, unhappily and at every night swims in the river towards her beloved Mahiwal.

Cupid and Psyche as Children by William Adolphe Bouguereau

Cupid and Psyche as Children is a painting produced by William Adolphe Bouguereau in 1890. The artist depicts Greek mythological figures Cupid and Psyché as children, sharing an embrace and kiss. This painting is currently in a private collection.

The Jewish Bride by Rembrandt

The Jewish Bride is a painting produced by Rembrandt in 1667. In this painting, the Dutch artist depicts a Jewish father bestowing a necklace upon his daughter on her wedding day. This painting can be viewed at Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Spooning Couple by Ron Mueck

Spooning Couple is a sculpture produced by Ron Mueck between 2005 and 2007. It depicts a man and woman lying down together and these both figures are semi naked. This sculpture can be viewed at The FLAG Art Foundation, New York.

Mother and Child in a Boat by Edmund Charles Tarbell

Mother and Child in a Boat is a painting produced by Edmund Charles Tarbell in 1892. The artist painted his wife Emeline as the mother and his daughter Josephine as the child in this painting. This painting can be viewed at Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US.

Honeysuckle Bower by Peter Paul Rubens

Honeysuckle Bower is a painting produced by Peter Paul Rubens in 1609. The models represent the self-portrait of Rubens and his first wife Isabella Brant. This painting can be viewed at Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

The Lovers Radha and Krishna in a Palm Grove

The Lovers Radha and Krishna in a Palm Grove is a painting produced around 1690 and 1730. It depicts romance and bhakti at the same time, Krishna the lord and Radha the bhakt twined in a dark forest. This painting can be viewed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The Birthday by Marc Chagall

The Birthday is a painting produced by Marc Chagall in 1915. This painting depicts Chagalls beloved first wife Bella Rosenfeld and Chagall floating lovingly above is kissing her. This painting can be viewed at Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston, MA, US.

There Comes Papa by Raja Ravi Varma

There Comes Papa is a painting produced by Raja Ravi Varma in 1893. This painting depicts Mahaprabha Thampuratti of Mavelikara who was the artist daughter is shown holding her daughter. This painting can be viewed at Kowdiar Palace, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India.

Lovers under an Umbrella in the Snow by Suzuki Harunobu

Lovers under an Umbrella in the Snow is a painting produced by Suzuki Harunobu between 1764 and 1772. It depicts lovers strolling in the snow but perhaps a path to a love suicide. The dimension of this painting is 26.6 x 19.8 cm.

The Resurrection: Reunion of Families by Stanley Spencer

The Resurrection: Reunion of Families is a painting produced by Stanley Spencer in 1945. The medium of this painting was the handmade oil painting reproduction on Canvas.

Interested to read the most famous 14 paintings around the theme of death or 12 paintings around the theme of beauty

Artsy Learning explores the many facets of love in modern and contemporary art. From 19th century femmes fatales to contemporary artists redefining sexuality, we’ve compiled stories of romance, sex and heartache and curated our favorite artworks on the theme of love.

Throughout art history, the concept of love has attracted artists from all walks of life. Depicted in different kinds of styles and rendered in a myriad of mediums, the amorous concept continues to captivate viewers time and time again.

While there are countless alluring examples of love in art, we’ve compiled a collection of 5 pieces that stand out from the rest. Whether highlighting a marble kiss, a glistening gold embrace, or even big block letters, these heartfelt masterpieces prove that art and love are a perfect match.

Here are 5 of the most renowned romantic paintings and sculptures and forms of love art throughout art history.

Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova

Antonio Canova, “Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss,” 1793 (Stock Photos from peacefoo/Shutterstock)

Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss is one of Neo-Classicism’s most beloved sculptures. Inspired by the love story of Cupid, the Roman god of love (adapted from the Greek Eros), and Psyche, a human-turned-goddess, this marble masterpiece was carved by Italian sculptor Antonio Canova in 1793.

The piece depicts the touching moment Psyche—who was put into a deep, death-like sleep after opening a forbidden box— is awakened by a kiss from Cupid, her husband. Canova skillfully captures the heightened and humanist emotion of the scene by paying special attention to the the lifelike expressions and intimate positioning of the figures.

“Cupid lifts his beloved Psyche in a tender embrace, his face close to hers,” the Louvre, where the piece is currently housed, explains. “Psyche lets herself sink slowly backwards, languorously taking her lover’s head between her hands.”

The Kiss by Gustave Klimt

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt painted The Kiss at the height of his Golden Phase. During this luminous period, Klimt experimented with his work, crafting avant-garde paintings with pronounced planes, intricate patterns, and delicate detailing made of gold leaf. The Kiss embodies this ethereal approach, and highlights another one of Klimt’s interests: portraying intimate subject matter.

The Kiss shows a loving couple mid-embrace. As they kneel in an otherworldly garden, the man leans in to kiss his partner, delicately cradling her face and running his hand through her flower-embellished hair. With her eyes peacefully closed, the woman wraps her arms around him, accepting and anticipating her lover’s kiss.

Klimt never disclosed the identities of the figures. However, today, the couple is widely believed to have been inspired by the artist and his companion (and perhaps lover) Emilie Flöge, a Viennese fashion designer. Much like the painting itself, their relationship is shrouded in a glittering mystery.

Love by Robert Indiana

Robert Indiana, “Love” Stock Photos from Christian Mueller/Shutterstock)

Since 1970, Robert Indiana’s large-scale Love sculptures have popped up in cities around the world. While these Pop Art pieces have taken on a romantic meaning, their original intention was less Valentine’s Day-related and more in the Christmas spirit.

In fact, Indiana came up with the familiar design—characterized by a stacked set of seraph letters spelling out the word, “LOVE”—for the Museum of Modern Art’s holiday card. Therefore, it is not surprising that the motif’s origins are actually rooted in Indiana’s religious upbringing. “I, as a child, was raised as a Christian Scientist,” Indiana explained in a letter to an art collector, “and the world LOVE was indelibly imprinted in the mind, for there is that slightly different phrase, ‘God is Love,’ on every front wall of every one of Mary Baker Eddy’s houses throughout the world.”

Over the years, Indiana’s sculptures have taken on a lovey-dovey life of their own. While the late artist had a love-hate relationship with the wildly popular series (he famously said, “It was a marvelous idea, but it was also a terrible mistake”), they will undoubtedly continue to inspire romantics for years to come.

In Bed, The Kiss by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, “In Bed, The Kiss,” c. 1892-1893 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons Public Domain)

Post-Impressionist painter and graphic designer Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is known for his posters, prints, and paintings of turn-of-the-century Paris. While most of these works capture the City of Love’s spectacular nightlife, some offer a glimpse into more intimate situations, like In Bed, The Kiss.

Created in 1892, this oil painting shows two women passionately kissing in bed. The pair are most likely Parisian prostitutes, one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s favorite and most visited artistic subjects. Like his other works set in brothels, In Bed, The Kiss offers an intimate look at the lives of these women. What sets this piece apart, however, is the inherent emotion of the scene, which the artist emphasizes with his characteristically energetic brushwork and an expressive color palette.

Toulouse-Lautrec also explored brothel life in his Elles portfolio, a collection of lithographs. Though celebrated today, these pieces were not well-received during the artist’s lifetime, as the public was not interested in “mundane intimacy.” The Museum of Modern Art explains: “Elles proved to be a commercial failure for its publisher—Gustave Pellet, who specialized in erotica—because it delivered not an exotic fantasy, but rather an intimate portrayal of women Lautrec knew firsthand and the milieu in which they lived and worked.”

The Kiss by Auguste Rodin

French sculptor Auguste Rodin completed The Kiss, a beautiful marble sculpture, between 1888 and 1898. With its “fluid, smooth modelling, [a] very dynamic composition and [a] charming theme” (The Rodin Museum), this work is one of modern art‘s most acclaimed sculptures. 

It was intended to adorn the Gates of Hell, a double-door sculpture inspired by Dante’s Inferno. Because of this source, Rodin opted to include a relief showing Francesca da Rimini—a real-life 13th-century noblewoman whose tale was featured in Dante’s Divine Comedy—in the throes of an affair with her brother-in-law.

After completing the sensual piece, however, Rodin deemed it “a large sculpted knick-knack following the usual formula.” He decided to exclude it from the doors’ final design and instead adapted it—a decision that has given us the free-standing sculpture we know and love today.

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Romantic artworks about love involve stolen kisses, intimate recollections, sleepy days, eternal devotion, and passionate embraces. They say love is an art. But what about love seen through art? Romantic artworks about love are numerous. There are have been thousands of kisses and caresses seen in paintings and stone, enough to make anybody swoon. But there are some pieces that capture romantic love in a heart-stomping way. Here are they are, the ten most romantic artworks about love.

1. Le Lit, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

Buried and cozy beneath a blanket, while sleepily gazing at your lover sounds like the best way to start the weekend. Beginning at the end of 1892, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec began to spend a lot of time at a Parisian brothel, even living there for periods at a time. He was commissioned to decorate the brothel salon. He did, with sixteen oval shaped portraits of the woman who worked there. But he also worked on hundreds of paintings related to the work of the brothel. Le Lit, or The Bed, is the best-known painting of the series.

This is an intimate, rather than erotic, depiction, of two women laying in bed together. There are three more paintings within this series, and while two of them are more overtly erotic, Toulouse-Lautrec focused on the natural, intimate love between the two women, rather than highly sexualizing them.

2. Embrace, Egon Schiele

In this erotic painting, Egon Schiele was able to capture a heightened sense of sexual intimacy and longing not typically seen, especially in the early 20^th century. The two figures are nude, seen intertwined with one another, taking a pause of sexually enjoying each other. The work of Schiele has sometimes been called too erotic, grotesque, or pornographic. The artist was born in Vienna in 1890 and attended the same school as Gustav Klimt, the Kunstgewerbeschule (School of Arts and Crafts). Schiele was encouraged and mentored by Klimt and developed his own unconventional style. While this piece too may be unconventional, it carries a sense of sexual truthfulness.

3. The Eternal Idol, Auguste Rodin

A nude woman, on her knees with her hips thrust forward. A nude man, also on his knees but below her, presses his body against her as he reverently kisses her. The 19th-century French sculptor, Auguste Rodin was known for his highly naturalistic and emotional approach of skillfully shaping the human body. This plaster sculpture was made in 1890 and had a bronze cast in 1891. It was then commissioned to be carved in marble in 1893. It’s full of erotic ecstasy and adoration, making it clear why other versions were made so quickly.

4. Radha and Krishna Walking at Night, folio from the Tehri Garhwal series of the Gita Govinda

This nighttime stroll with your lover sounds pretty nice, right? These verses, inscribed on the back of this 18th-century painting, come from a 12th-century Indian poem, Gita Govinda. They provide the source of inspiration and set the scene of private love between the god Krishna, and Radha the gopi (or cow herder). The couple’s love seems to almost brightly illuminate them within a dark landscape as they gaze into one another’s eyes.

5. The Honeysuckle Bower, Peter Paul Rubens

Tenderly clasping hands, lovingly leaning towards one another, while finding relaxing peace in each other’s company underneath a honeysuckle bower. Such is the scene that Peter Paul Rubens, the foremost baroque Flemish artist, paints of himself and of his new bride, Isabella Brant. The calm and content emotions seen on their faces, emanating from the countryside as well, speaks of the somewhat unappreciated quiet joy which love grants to couples.

6. Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, Antonio Canova

In an exceptional moment of romantic love, we see Cupid as a young deity, lightly hovering over and gently embracing his lover, Psyche, who in turn encircles her arms around him, awakened from receiving his kiss. This is one of the most celebrated romantic artworks about love. If it has Cupid in it, you know it’s going to be romantic, but the devastating story of Cupid and Psyche seals the deal. Based on the story from the 2nd-century text Metamorphoses, by Lucius Apuleius Madaurensis, Cupid falls in love with the mortal Psyche – but we won’t ruin the whole story. Antonio Canova executes the delicate, beautiful figures in true Neoclassical style, and beautifully portrays the beauty of new love.

7. The Kiss on the Sidewalk, Robert Doisneau

A couple too intent on one another to notice anyone, or in fact anything else around them. Sure, this famous couple kissing whilst walking down a Parisian 1950 street amidst uncaring passersby were actually friends of Doisneau who knew they were being photographed. Doisneau asked his friends to just act natural, while he slowly followed. But even though this could be construed as “staged” romance, the eye-for-no-one-else aspect of the photo is strong. It’s a photo of blissful love in the city of love.

8. The Kiss, Gustav Klimt

Golden tones throughout, a field of wildflowers, and a flower crown and vine crown. These all accompany one of Gustav Klimt’s – the famous Austrian symbolist artist – most famous paintings, and one of the most romantic artworks about love of all time. An embracing couple kneels in a field of flowers. The male figure tenderly holds the face of the female figure, who closes her eyes as she receives the kiss, which transmits a state of peaceful bliss to the viewer, making this one of the most tender romantic paintings of all time.

9. Reclining Couple Reading a Love Letter, Kikugawa Eizan

A couple comfortably lying side-by-side, leisurely reading over love letters. It’s probably one of the best ways to spend a Sunday if we’re being honest. It’s a quiet moment between two people cherishing their love, and the graceful woman is typical of Eizan Kikugawa’s style. Eizan, a woodblock artist and painter of 19t^th century Japan, was a pioneering artist in bijin-ga, and in shunga; pictures of beautiful women, and erotic prints, respectively.

10. The Kiss, Francesco Hayez

Heart palpitations and deep sighs of longing: some of the physical sensations that may happen when looking at this painting. At the very heart of the piece, an unrecognizable couple participate in a passionate kiss. The female figure leans back, the better to kiss her lover as she embraces him and tilts up. The male figure grounds her with his body and cups her face as they kiss. His leg is placed on a step, implying that this is a kiss goodbye, and he may leave at any given moment.

This painting, by Italian artist Francesco Hayez, was his most famous work and encapsulates Italian Romanticism perfectly. But it also may have a political connotation, showing patriotism and urgency of the Risorgimento—the Italian unification social and political movement of the 19th century. But for whatever the reason for his flight, the urgency and passion behind the kiss easily transmits, placing it among the most romantic artworks about love.

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Stay in the romantic mood and check out:

Today is Feb. 14th!

Happy Valentines Day! 

The concept of LOVE has been explored by many artists throughout history. Some of my own paintings and drawings are based on this theme.

Love is a very strong emotion, and is probably as difficult to define as art itself. There are several kinds of love – maternal, patriotism, brotherly, romantic love, etc.

Artists have interpreted this emotion in many ways, as seen in these 10 famous paintings and sculptures based on LOVE!

Famous LOVE Artwork – Paintings and Sculptures

1. Love — Robert Indiana

   Love (above) is a famous 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. 

2. 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 in the robes. The style was influenced by the arts and crafts movement and Art Nouveau. The mediums are oil and gold leaf on canvas.

   The Kiss can be viewed at Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, Vienna.

   

3. In The Garden — Pierre Auguste Renoir

   Renoir painted this painting in 1885, and it is now displayed at the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

   A couple is seen relaxing and surrounded by the beauty of the garden. The man gazes at the lady, seemingly eager to capture her attention. A bouquet of flowers lay on the table.  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.

     

4. The Kiss — Edvard Munch

   Edvard Munch (better known for his painting The Scream) captured the passion of love in this powerful expressionist painting The Kiss (1897).

   The faces are indistinguishable and locked together in a kiss. The image is dramatic and moody. The figures are melded together in an embrace, oblivious of anything else but each other.

   The Kiss can be seen at The Munch Museum.

   

5. The Kiss – Auguste Rodin

   This time the kissing theme is explored by sculptor Rodin – The Kiss. This marble sculpture was created by Rodin in 1889. The concept for the sculpture originated from a relief in Rodin’s The Gates of Hell. The sculpture stirred controversy because of the erotic imagery, and first wasn’t considered appropriate for public viewing.

   The sculpture now appears at the Musée Rodin in Paris, France.

   Two of the several copies can be viewed at Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen and Tuileries Garden in Paris.

   

6. 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.   

7. Le Printemps (Spring) — Pierre Auguste Cot

   This oil on canvas painting was painted by Pierre Auguste Cot in 1873.

   It depicts young love, as a young couple shares a swing. The couple is surrounded by symbols of nature’s rebirth and life associated with spring, such as butterflies, flowers and water. The couple gaze at each other, while the girl embraces the young man. The surrounding dense forest symbolizes a hidden place.

   The painting symbolizes the newness of life and rebirth associated with Spring.

   The painting can be viewed at Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.  

8. Return of the Prodical Son – Rembrandt

   This painting is Rembrandt’s interpretation of the parable of the prodical son from the Bible.

   The love seen here is unconditional, and is the type of love that comes from a forgiving parent. The father welcomes his son home after squandering his inheritance, while the other son stands judgementally.

   The oil painting was created two years before Rembrandt’s death, and is considered by many to be one of his finest works of art.

   Find the painting at Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg.

9. The Lovers — Rene Magritte

   The Lovers is a painting by French surrealist Rene Magritte, created in 1928.

   The painting depicts a veiled couple embracing and kissing. Obviously symbolic, many have speculated about why the couple is veiled. Many have also interpreted the painting in different ways – the common interpretation being “Love is blind”.

   Do you have any opinions about the meaning of the painting?

   The Lovers can be viewed at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.   

10. Siesta — Van Gogh

    Siesta was painted in 1890 while Van Gogh stayed at St. Rémy. The painting is a copy of one of Jean Francois Millet’s etchings. A couple naps in the shade of a haystack, during midday.

    The brush strokes and composition is more relaxed than much of Van Gogh’s work at the time, which shows Van Gogh’s genius in capturing a peaceful moment in time.

    The painting can be viewed at Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.