For the holiday of All Lovers: what were the greeting valentines of the past centuries
For the holiday of All Lovers: what were the greeting valentines of the past centuries

Video: For the holiday of All Lovers: what were the greeting valentines of the past centuries

Video: For the holiday of All Lovers: what were the greeting valentines of the past centuries
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Valentines of the past centuries
Valentines of the past centuries

V Valentine's Day it is customary to exchange postcards with romantic greetings. Today valentines are issued in millions of copies, and several centuries ago they were created by the best artists and craftsmen in exclusive copies. This roundup presents the best examples of romantic Valentine's Day cards that have survived to this day.

Saint Valentine
Saint Valentine

The history of the holiday dates back to the 3rd century AD. NS. According to legend, the Roman emperor Claudius II forbade soldiers to marry, because he believed that single soldiers had nothing to lose and they fight better. At the same time, the priest Valentin lived in the city of Terni, who secretly married the soldiers with their chosen ones. When the secret was revealed, the emperor sentenced the priest to death. In 496, Valentine was canonized as a Christian martyr on February 14th. After some time, the date began to be considered Valentine's Day.

"The Heart Book" of the Danish King Christian III
"The Heart Book" of the Danish King Christian III

On this holiday, it has long been customary to congratulate each other with postcards with romantic inscriptions. The prototypes of valentines can be found in the Middle Ages. At that time, songbooks in the form of hearts were very popular. These were real works of art with drawings, scores and words from popular songs. They were presented to ladies of the heart. Also, carved songbooks were carried with them by men. The Heart Book of Danish King Christian III was created in the middle of the 16th century. It contains 83 love ballads.

Songbook by Jean de Montchegnu. 1475 year
Songbook by Jean de Montchegnu. 1475 year

Another famous heart-shaped songbook is the Songbook of Jean de Montchegnu. It was created in 1475 for the bishop of the Aquitaine city of Agen Matteo Bandello. The book contained works of famous composers of that time.

Medieval book in the form of a heart
Medieval book in the form of a heart
Declaration of love from the Duke of Orleans
Declaration of love from the Duke of Orleans

The very first valentine is considered to be a piece of paper with declarations of love scrawled on it, belonging to the Duke Charles of Orleans. In 1415, while imprisoned in the Tower of London, he conveyed messages to his wife. This valentine has survived to this day. Today it is kept in the British Museum, where anyone can see it.

19th century Valentine
19th century Valentine
19th century Valentine's Day greeting card
19th century Valentine's Day greeting card

In the 19th century, valentines became so popular that their production acquired an industrial scale. Most often, postcards dedicated to Valentine's Day depicted beautiful girls, children, cupids, hearts. Additionally, they were decorated with ribbons and lace. The acrostic congratulation was very popular, that is, the first letter of each new line formed the name of the beloved or beloved.

Valentine's card decorated with lace
Valentine's card decorated with lace
Cupids are popular images for valentines
Cupids are popular images for valentines
19th century postcard
19th century postcard

Modern artists also love to paint greeting cards. However, Australian artists Chris Mundy and Greg Lockhart create valentines with black humor.

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