Fritz Wegner: Saint Valentine's Day

Artist: Fritz Wegner
1924 -
Nationality: Austrian
Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 11.25 by 9.75 inches
Medium: Water Color on Hot Press Illustration Board

Though celebrated on February 14 -- the anniversary of St. Valentine's martyrdom in 270 a.d. -- Valentine's Day has little, if any, connection to the Christian saint. In fact, his place in history as a patron saint of lovers seems to be purely accidental. Rather, Valentine's Day, the festival of youth and love, goes back to ancient Rome for its origins. St. Valentine's Day was celebrated on the eve of the Roman holiday Lupercalia. In those days, custom held that the first person seen on the morning of February 14 was one's Valentine. Another theory on thge origin of Valentine's Day purports that birds begin their couritng on February 14. Thus, young lads and lasses should choose lovers on that day too and exchange gifts to seal their love. As the years passed, the word Valentine came to refer both to the tokens of affection and the lover as well. The first paper Valentine cards created for this celebration of love, date from the sixteenth century. By 1800, the Valentine exchange had grown to the point that hand-painted copper-plates were needed to meet the large demand for Valentine cards. Later, woodcuts and lithography brought new and colorful designs to the exchange of Valentine affection. Since World War I, millions of Valentine cards have been printed annually to meet the demands of lovers the world over. From the simple Roman festival of youth and fertility has sprung a holdiay loved throughout the world.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the Great Britain 14p Saint Valentine's Day stamp issued February 6, 1981.

Artwork Copyright © 1980 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB06792

US$ Price: $1,425.00

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