Struck by the arrows of art! The most romantic artists for a special Valentine's Day

Self-portrait of Giorgio Vasari. Born in Arezzo in 1511, he was an Italian painter, architect, and art historian.

As Valentine's Day approaches, I looked up to the sky in search of a loving blessing. To my great surprise, an angel appeared before me: not the usual chubby cherub, but a mature man with a long beard and Renaissance attire. It was Cupid, but with the face of Giorgio Vasari!

This unusual angel decided to strike me with his arrow to introduce you to the top ten most romantic artists of ArtMajeur by YourArt, hoping you will fall madly in love with their works. And do not worry, in art, the increasingly popular polyamory is well accepted without reservation: you can love more than one artist without fear of jealousy. After all, owning multiple works will not arouse suspicion in your partner; rather, it will enrich your collection and your heart.

Without further ado, here are the artists and their most romantic creations, perfect for celebrating the sweetest day of the year.

Hold You (2023) Painting by Morgan Bisoux

"Hold You" by Morgan Bisoux

Vasari appears beside me with an arrow in hand, looks at me with wise eyes, and says, "Love lies in the small details, like the gesture of holding hands." Before I can formulate a response, with a swift movement, he releases the arrow, striking me straight in the side, making me fall hopelessly in love with the artwork I am about to describe to you.

The painting that has captured my heart is "Hold You", a 2023 piece by Morgan Bisoux. This work stands out for its depiction of a simple yet profoundly romantic moment of human connection: two hands clasped together in a delicate and deeply meaningful gesture.

The idyll of "Hold You" is heightened by Bisoux’s hyperrealist approach, which meticulously captures every line and shadow of the hands, lending the painting an almost tangible vibrancy. The use of oil paint contributes to the creation of soft, enveloping tones, intensifying the sense of intimacy and immediacy of the touch. Finally, it is essential to note how the realism of the work seamlessly blends with metaphysical elements, elevating an everyday gesture to a universal symbol of love and connection.

Les amoureux du train (2019) Painting by Vénie

"Les amoureux du train" by Vénie

While Vasari, busy traveling the world in search of collectors to make fall in love, takes a moment of rest, I take the opportunity to personally choose another artwork: "Les amoureux du train" (2019) by Vénie, a painting that embodies a subtle sweetness and a romanticism that avoids more explicit displays of love.

"Les amoureux du train" captures a young couple in a tender moment of intimacy inside a train carriage. The painting portrays two lovers asleep, wrapped in each other's arms, as the world outside rushes past the window. The scene represents a fragment of life, a serene moment of shared affection that transcends the boundaries of time and space, immersing viewers in a comforting tranquility.

The romanticism of this piece lies in its ability to depict love as a shared journey. The two lovers, holding each other close, embark on a voyage that extends beyond physical landscapes, navigating through the various phases of their relationship. This shared experience, both metaphorical and literal, symbolizes the journey of life together, where time itself seems to pause.

Lovers in a Dream Painting by Armen Vahramyan

"Lovers in a Dream" by Armen Vahramyan

This time, Vasari struck me with surgical precision, so much so that the pain in my left leg, where the arrow hit its mark, is almost unbearable. Yet, in this moment of acute pain, my eyes are irresistibly drawn to a painting that evokes the naïve sweetness of Chagall. The painting in question is "Lovers in a Dream" (2024) by Armen Vahramyan, a true triumph of colors and forms that captures the essence of love in an extraordinarily pure and sincere way.

"Lovers in a Dream" depicts two lovers entwined in an embrace as they float above a stylized urban landscape, painted in warm, vibrant tones. The figures seem suspended in a dream, isolated from the outside world, completely absorbed in each other. The background is a tapestry of pastel-colored houses that gently bend, almost swaying to the melody of their love.

The painting overflows with romanticism through its depiction of a love that transcends the ordinary: the dreamlike setting, accentuated by fluid lines and warm colors, suggests a love that is both idealized and ethereal.

Fragments (2024) Painting by Veronica Ciccarese

"Fragments" by Veronica Ciccarese

Now, Giorgio, weary of playing Cupid, briefly returns to his oldest profession as an art historian, revealing to us:

"As time has passed beyond my mortal existence, I have continued my eternal study of art. Today, with the wisdom accumulated over centuries, I will speak to you about a theme as famous as it is timeless in the visual arts: the kiss. This gesture, which fuses two souls in a moment of pure intimacy and emotion, has been depicted countless times, each with its own uniqueness. From Klimt to Rodin, the kiss has always been a powerful symbol of human connection, laden with cultural and personal meanings. And in Fragments (2024) by Veronica Ciccarese, we find a modern interpretation deeply rooted in this rich tradition."

"The technique used by the Italian artist is oil on linen canvas, a medium that has allowed her to explore depth and texture with remarkable mastery. The subject of the artwork—two faces approaching for a kiss—is presented with an almost pixelated approach, where each 'fragment' contributes to the composition of the whole."

LOVE being (2024) Painting by Oksana Alekhina

"LOVE being" by Oksana Alekhina

The dance (2022) Painting by Loïc Desroeux

"The dance" by Loïc Desroeux

While Vasari had temporarily stepped away to devote himself to studying and discovering other art enthusiasts, we scheduled a meeting to discuss the latest artwork. As a result, this sixth creation captivated me spontaneously—without the aid of any "tricks and deceptions" from dear old Giorgio…

"The Dance" by Loïc Desroeux is a subtle yet intense depiction of a kiss, hidden within the nuances of a dance. The oil on canvas captures two figures in the act of dancing, their bodies close and their faces tilted in a way that suggests an imminent approach. This moment, infused with intimacy and passion, is painted with a palette of dark tones, illuminated by touches of light that highlight the details and enhance the emotional tension between the two dancers.

The painter adopts a style that blends realism and expressionism, with bold brushstrokes that outline the movement of the bodies while leaving the specific details of the kiss to the viewer’s imagination. The technique emphasizes the fluidity and motion of the dance, while the interplay of light and shadow adds depth and mystery, inviting spectators to fully immerse themselves in the scene.

Il suffit juste d'un instant (2023) Painting by Valentin Cyrille Evegue

Lovers in blue (2024) Painting by Ta Byrne

Comparison between "Il suffit juste d'un instant" and "Lovers in blue"

Taking advantage of Giorgio Vasari’s absence, I step into the role of art historian to examine and compare two works: Il suffit juste d'un instant by Valentin Cyrille Evegue and Lovers in Blue by Ta Byrne. Despite their evident stylistic differences, these paintings share a common structural characteristic: both adopt a horizontal format, within which the figures extend widely, occupying and defining the space of the rectangle. Moreover, neither work can be easily categorized into a well-defined style; rather, each exhibits a highly personal and distinctive artistic tendency.

This choice of format and unconventional stylistic approach not only serve to aesthetically define the works but also intensify and expand their visual narrative, offering the viewer a broader field of vision through which to explore the unique artistic dynamics proposed by each artist.

How do these works portray love?

Il suffit juste d'un instant captures love in its most fleeting and transient form. The very title suggests that everything can change in an instant—an emotional storm, a revelation, or a drastic transformation. Here, love is presented as a powerful yet ephemeral force, capable of completely altering a person’s reality with its sudden intensity.

Lovers in Blue, in contrast, explores love as a harmonious fusion and a deep connection between two individuals. The artwork uses ballet—a dance that requires synchronization and grace—as a metaphor for the most perfect romantic relationship.

L'amour, toujours (2018) Painting by Val Escoubet

"L'amour, toujours" by Val Escoubet

"L'amour, toujours" (2018) by Val Escoubet is an intriguing portrayal of an intimate connection between two individuals. The painting features a couple in profile, their faces obscured by hair, evoking a sense of mystery and deep emotion. The figures are rendered in black and white oil paint, while the background contrasts vividly with bright acrylic colors.

Escoubet's technique combines hyper-realistic portraiture with vibrant, abstract backgrounds, creating a dynamic interplay between the subjects and their environment. This approach not only highlights the figures but also adds depth and context to their relationship.

In "L'amour, toujours," Escoubet portrays love as a living entity existing between two people. The delicacy and modesty with which this love is depicted suggest that, despite its intensity, it remains an incredibly personal and reserved experience. The art serves as a window into an intimate moment, allowing the viewer to sense the profound connection without intrusion, preserving its sanctity and mystery.

This piece exemplifies Escoubet's signature style of blending figurative portraiture with expressive backgrounds, resulting in a compelling visual narrative that invites viewers to explore the nuances of human emotion and connection.

Contemporary portrait "Together" (2024) Painting by Nataliya Bagatskaya

"Contemporary portrait "Together"" by Nataliya Bagatskaya

Vasari silently returns behind me, a knowing smile spreading across his face. "Did you miss me?" he asks playfully. "Well, yes," I reply, "as long as it's about falling in love with art, I don't find it too scary." With a mix of curiosity and anticipation, I ask him, "Where do you plan to strike me this time?" Giorgio looks at me, his eyes gleaming with mischief, and responds, "Straight to the heart, because the next artwork features a dear friend of mine."

"Together" is a contemporary portrait celebrating the 35th wedding anniversary of the artist, Nataliya Bagatskaya. This piece, enriched by the modern representation of the Mona Lisa, transforms a classical icon into a symbol of enduring and contemporary love.

In the painting, the Mona Lisa wears a jacket reminiscent of a Barbour coat, symbolizing an elegant yet casual modernity. Beside her stands a man with a protective posture and an intense gaze. The two figures are immersed in a natural landscape, with shades of green and brown blending harmoniously with the wooded background, emphasizing an embrace that symbolizes protection and affection.

The painting expresses romance through the celebration of intimacy and mutual support between the two subjects, reinterpreting one of the most iconic faces in art history within a fresh scene of personal and emotional connection.