Be Mine, Dear Valentine
“Let me tell ya 'bout the birds and the bees
and the flowers and the trees
and the moon up above,
and a thing called Love.”
Barry Stuart 1964
Valentine’s Day originates all the way back to A.D.270. It is named after a doctor turned priest who was martyred in Rome for performing marriages for young couples deeply in love. Marriage was outlawed to young men who were sworn to military service. St. Valentine’s memory lived for centuries long past his death as a patron of love.
In AD496, the Vatican proclaimed February 14th as St. Valentine’s Day.It is also believed that the Roman Catholic church sanctified St. Valentine on February 14 to coincide with an ancient pagan festival of fertility, celebrated across the land to revitalize the crops. St. Valentine’s Day marked the first day of work in the fields and the vineyards.
Saint Valentine became the saint of love and the advent of Spring…even the patron of beekeepers! It was believed that the birds proposed to each other on this day.
In the Middle Ages, villages would hold match-making lotteries where eligible bachelors drew secret ballots inscribed with the names of young maidens, pairing them together for a full year’s courtship, often ending with many marriages.
Throughout the centuries the colors of St. Valentine’s Day found their origin in poetry and prose. The verse "Roses are Red" is originally attributed to Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene in 1590:
(Old English)
"She bath'd with roses red, and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres, that in the forrest grew."
In Gammer Gurton's Garland, a nursery rhyme published in 1784 in London by Joseph Johnson reads:
“The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
and Fortune said it shou'd be you."
Saint Valentine was said to wear an amethyst ring customary to Christian bishops, engraved with Cupid, the Roman God of Love. This is how he became recognized as a secret officiate for marriage. Amethyst is now February’s birthstone.
We are delighted to bring St. Valentine’s colors to you In Roland’s beautiful “Plein Air” creations with our special wish and generous gift too!
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Announcing our new Wishlist feature on our website which allows you to choose all the works you love and collect them in your custom Wishlist
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Just click on the heart and add your favorite artworks one by one as you go through the treasures. Then send your list to us with a note to receive your special Valentine’s surprise. From February 1 to February 14
20%
We will personally reduce everything by 20% if shared with us through your wish list. Orders of two or more fine art giclees on canvas will also come with free shipping!
Custom gift certificates come with our gift of
25 % added value
What a wonderful way to say
“Be Mine,
Dear Valentine!”