It’s the story of forbidden romance and
the man who broke the rules in the name of true love. Legend has it that when Emperor
Claudius II outlawed marriage for soldiers in ancient Rome, Valentine
ignored the risks and chose to marry young lovers in secret. Though he helped new marriages blossom, he paid the ultimate price and was put to death after he
got caught.
This may or may not have been the way Valentine’s Day truly started, but the fact remains that the holiday continues to inspire expressions of love and beauty.
"Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss" by Antonio Canova, 1757-1822
Love and romance have served as artistic
inspiration for painters and sculptors for centuries, and as art inspires life,
the romance often finds its way to the runways.