Description
Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) was one of America's most popular painters. For many decades he painted dreamy, romantic scenes for galleries & magazines. This charming painting of St. Valentine was done for the February 2, 1905 cover of Life Magazine. It makes a unique, old-fashioned Valentine gift. Parrish typically made his paintings with many layers of lacquer & paint. This made the colors pop & seemed to make the light sources shine of their own accord. But the paintings do not age well. (See example.) The lacquer turns yellow & the paintings get so they look like they are encased in amber. We are grateful to be the only ones in the world who as of this writing have pulled the yellow out & restored this Valentine to something very close to its original delightful colors. Of note, Parrish had made his own face that of Valentine's, another touch of whimsy. (source: nationalacademy.com) The historical St. Valentine was a Catholic priest who, at a time when the Roman emperor Claudius II had forbade his soldiers to marry, encouraged marriage. He was arrested, & the legend is he wrote Julia, the jailor's daughter, letters from prison telling her of God's love. He always signed them "Your Valentine," & made such an impression on the people of his time as a model of love that they began to sign such notes "Your Valentine," just as we still do today. He was martyred February 14, 270 AD. IMPORTANT THE IMAGE IS SMALLER THAN THE PAPER! There is a blank border all around the image of about .5" for 5x7, 1.3" for 8.5x11, 1.6" for 11x14, & 1.75" for 13x17" & 16"x20". All Approx! The white space gives the framed picture a finished look without using a matt. - Acid-free paper - Archival pigments, rated to last for generations. - Cardboard backer - Above story of the art - Enclosed in a tight-fitting, crystal clear bag. Thanks for your interest! Thanks! Sue & John You might also enjoy original Catholic Art & Jewerly by me, Sue Kouma Johnson, here on Etsy at www.Etsy.com/shop/TreeOfHeaven Also, check out our Catholic Quote shop, where we are pairing authentic quotes from Saints with Art: www.Etsy.com/shop/CatholicQuote "In order to communicate the message entrusted to her by Christ, the Church needs art." ~ St. Pope John Paul II Original image is out-of-copyright. Descriptive text & image alterations (hence the whole new image) © by Sue Kouma Johnson - Classic Catholic Art. st. Valentine By Maxfield Parrish - Catholic Art Print
