Thoughts of Love

Love. How do wee show compassion to one another when it's so scary? This exhibition travels a variety of examples that connects guests to their pets, significant other, or simply a love letter. In Sonnet 47 by William Shakespeare says, "When that mine eye is famished for a look, or heart in love signs himself doth feast and to the painted banquet bids my heart. Another time mine eye is my heart's guest and in this thoughts of love doth share a part." This exhibition is using the Thoughts of Love you see in humans or animals and permitting us to feel loved with so much distance between us. Artist's have expressed love in so many different ways by connecting us to one we love or commemorating our loved ones. Let your heart expand in many different directions and look back to your love you have in your life. So, take a seat and feel your rapidly  beating heart, and see the sparks fly. You too might meet your love on the loveseat.   

Kamadeva, The God of Love

Unknown Artist

Second half of the 18th Century

Stone

1993.175

A mythical creature (Makara) is the oldest version of our modern day cupid. It spews arrows from its jaws and have the bow and arrow are the identifiers of love. We have cupid but in the 18th century had Makara. Hoping the Makara would shoot them with an arrow and find the love of their life. Having Makara signifies the love and hopefulness of finding the other half you need in your life. People were clinging to that hope of finding the love of their life with the Markara. 

Love

Paul-Albert Besnard

1885-87

Etching; second state of the three, rare

1977.584.4

Paul saw a couple leaning against a wall and had to draw them. He drew the emotion and love. He wanted everyone to see that love is good. You can see a woman embracing a man leaning against a wall. The woman is so happy to embrace this man, she maybe hasn't seen him for awhile. You can see how much love and passion by looking at how hard this couple is holding each other. The stronghold they have on each other and not wanting to let go. They are savoring this moment they have for just the two of them. They wanted nothing to ruin the mood between them. It shows that love is the best thing in life. 

Loving Cup

Unknown Artist

1735

Salt-Glazed Stoneware

44.39.65

A loving cup is a large, two-handled cup. In the past in was used for weddings, banquets, or meetings. A loving will be shared by many people for a ceremonial drinking. It symbolizing friendship, unity, and love. It is also given as a prize award for esteem or affection. You fill it with whatever drink you want but some people would mix two drinks together to symbolize two people becoming on. It reminds me of my parents wedding china they got when they were married and they had a cup just like this. Clearly this cup won't be used but he would something you put on the shelf and remember the moments you had with your other half. 

The Progress of Love

Antonie Pierre Mongin

1803

Brush and brown wash over black chalk underdrawing; framing lines in pen and black ink

2011.203

You see three couples enjoying each other company in park. One couple is taking a nice stroll, the second couple you see a family enjoying that time with their child and showing so much love to that child, and the third couple  you see a women sitting and man standing up maybe admiring her beauty. You see how love progress over three different people. They show their love for another in many different ways. They are just enjoying a nice day with the love of their life and not having a care in the world. 

The Love Letter

Jean Honoré Fragonard

Early 1700's

Oil on canvas

49.7.49

Fragonard painting shows a flirtatious woman. The golden light coming in and showing of her pal skin and rosey cheeks. Frangonard brushstrokes are visible in the shadows and the highlights under the desk and on her clothes. The Rococo period was about loosing morals and pleasure-seeking of France's wealthy people. Whether the bouquet of flowers, the letter are for her husband or a secret lover, and the dog by her side. It reflects the romantic ideals of the Rococo period. Writing a love letter is so old school and very special. You get that special moment of opening a love letter and feeling the sparks fly. Having that moment is the best feeling ever and you don't want it to go away. 

Love and Inncocence

Unknown Artist

ca. 1820-25

Gilt bronze, enamel

1981-50

The clock representing love and showing that time can never take away from the love you have for one another. You see a cupid holing a lyre that symbolizes love with a seated female holding her chest for a symbol of innocence. You see embracing figures at the bottom embracing each other with a simple kiss. Its showing that love has no time, you don't have to wait any longer to find your love. Having that time with your partner and sharing that love for one another in that time is special because you remember those moments in life. You can look back at the time you had with them. 

The Artist Wife and His Setter Dog

Thomas Eakins

ca. 1884-89

Oil on canvas

23.139

When looking at this painting I notice the dog first but with more research it was about love. The love Thomas had for his wife and his dog shows in this painting. With the connection of Sonnet 47 by Shakespeare was about thoughts of love. The thought of having that love for someone and painting them is magical. He shows her my showcasing her in the best form he could think of. Giving her love and affection through this painting makes me see sparks. Giving me the hope of having that love from a person one day.