Title

To My Valentine'

Caption

To My Valentine', American Valentine card, c1908. Cupid shoots an arrow into a heartheld up by a putto. The words are surrounded by garlands of Forget-me-nots (Myosotis palustris) and lucky four-leafed Shamrock or Wood Sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) is a symbol of Ireland. In Roman mythology Cupid was the son of Venus, goddess of love (Eros and Aphrodite in the Greek Pantheon). The identity of St Valentine is uncertain, the most popular candidates are Valentine, bishop of Terni (3rd century) or a Roman Christian convert martyred c270). St Valentine's Day, celebrated on 14 February, probably replaces the Roman pagan festival of Lupercalia.

Info+

Photos12.com - Ann Ronan Picture Library

Credit line

Photo12/Ann Ronan Picture Library

Reference

ARP07102_390006411

License type

Rights managed

Available size

22,8Mb (2,0Mb) / 11,8in x 7,5in / 3543 x 2245 (300dpi)