book dedications are so tender here is this piece of art i made for an audience of thousands. but really every word is for you

spending the entire day writing one paragraph

Anaïs Nin, A Spy in the House of Love [originally published 1954]

January 29, 1984… 40 years ago today, I married “my guy.” It was a perfect Malibu day. For the first time in my life, I felt truly safe and loved.

I miss him and I thank him every day, for all he gave to us…his family, his friends, his colleagues.

I will always love you, Robert…wait for me.

Vincent Van Gogh // John Keats

The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine

Artist : Paul Meylan

May to October, 1913

La Belle Dame sans Merci

Fucking History-

You're a fucking catch. And anyone you date should fucking act like it. Don't waste your time with someone who only wants to hang out at home, doesn't invite you out with their friends, and is an all-around keep-you-to-themselves kind of asshole. Find someone who is proud to be with you and wants to show you off. Like King Pedro (a.k.a. Peter I of Portugal) did with his second wife, Ines de Castro.

Here's his story: After the death of his first wife in 1345 (an arranged marriage), Pedro married Ines against his father's wishes, causing an absolute shitstorm in the royal kingdom. Why? Well, Ines was not of royal blood; thus, their union offered no political advantages. So in 1355, Pedro's father, King Afonso IV, hired three men to kidnap Ines and, well, cut off her fucking head. (And you thought your dad overreacted.)

Upon learning about this, Pedro swore revenge, but he was just a lil' prince without much power. Fortunately for him, he didn't have to wait too long to inherit the power necessary to enact his plan. In 1357, Dad died and Pedro became the new king. And what was King Pedro's first order of business? Simple: He was going to make good on his vengeful promise. He tracked down the three men who'd killed Ines and had their hearts ripped out while they were still alive. Because, as he claimed, they had done the same to him when they killed Ines. (Pretty emo move if you ask me, but I can respect it.)

Then Pedro had Ines's body exhumed, dressed in royal cloth, and seated next to him on a throne as the rightful queen. Yeah, that's how proud Pedro was of her. Dead, without makeup, and with no fucking eyebrows (but probably with some kick-ass skeleton contouring), Pedro still wanted to show her off. So much so that he forced the entire kingdom to form a line, bow, and kiss her dead, bony-ass hands. Now THAT'S a dude who was proud of his relationship and truly didn't give a fuck about what others had to say about it.

(It's worth noting that Pedro went on to become a complete psychopath of a king, known for his affinity for torture, brutality, and living heart removal...But let's not focus on that–let's focus on how proud he was to be married to Ines and how little he cared about the opinions of others.)

-The Capitan

pride & prejudice (2005)

joe wright director's commentary

Yoshitomo Nara

Daydreamer (detail), 2003

Acrylic, colored pencil, and pastel on paper

Today, as the art of handwritten notes gradually fades, one common way to court someone is to slide into his or her DMs. Perhaps a slightly more graceful and heartfelt tactic was the issuing of exquisitely handcrafted, paper love tokens, complete with original messages of romantic poetry, that lovers of the 18th century particularly favored. Recently, Harvard University’s Houghton Library acquired one such love token dating to the late 1700s, possibly fashioned by a New Englander. Delivered to his lady of interest in the form of a puzzle purse, it records the unrequited passions of one gentleman who signed off as “E.W.” and offers a glimpse of the intricate, artful handiwork of a bygone time.

The Intricate Designs of an 18th-Century Love Token

The Bright Star Puzzle Purse Love Note by Adrienne Rozzi // Poison Apple Printshop

Limited edition of 100. Handmade screen print featuring the poem ‘Bright Star, would I were stedfast as thou art’ by John Keats.

Drawings and photos © Poison Apple Printshop

Victorian Puzzle Purse template

The oldest Valentine in the Postal Museum collection dates from about 1790. Called the Puzzle Purse Valentine, it is a single large sheet of paper folded to a smaller size. Once received, the puzzle is to unfold it in the right way to read the verses handwritten on the folds, and see the small illustrations. Cut out and use this template to make your own puzzle purse. You can even add your own message and decoration

since it’s almost valentine’s day i’ve made a victorian puzzle purse for you to print and give to your loved ones <3 download it here and have fun!

ps. don’t forget to write a message to your lover inside!

OPHELIA (details)

But long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pull’d the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death.

‘he must enter into all my feelings; the same books, the same music must charm us both.’ - Jane Austen 

PRIDE & PREJUDICE 2005, dir. Joe Wright  SANDITON (2019-), adp. Andrew Davies SENSE AND SENSIBILITY 1995, dir. Ang Lee EMMA 2020, dir. Autumn De Wilde