Eros: erotic, passionate love

Rise and Monty Kissing, 1980, Nan Goldin

As Valentine’s Day approaches, think about how you use the word “love” in your life. You love your significant other, kids, friends, and siblings in different ways. Last week we looked at Agape. This week we are focusing on Eros love. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones of University of Utah Health describes eros as erotic or sexual or passionate love.

It's often all about need, and it's more about the person who's feeling sexually attractive than it is about the person who is the focus of that love. It is addicting. Eros love can cause great joy and great sorrow. (newswise).

See

Philosophers, theologians, neuroscientists, and clinicians all study love in all of its forms. Love is a worthy subject. “It’s necessary for our very existence, both as individuals and as a species. As fundamental to us as the food we eat and the air we breathe.” (templeton) Let's look at how some artists depict Eros love.

The Birthday by Marc Chagall

In Bed, The Kiss by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

The Kiss by Constantin Brancusi

Lover's Eye Jewelry

Lovers’ eye jewelry was especially popular among the members of the court of King George III and was typically given as a secret token of love between two people who could not be together publicly. The jewelry was also popular among travelers, who would take a miniature portrait of their loved one with them on their travels as a way of staying connected.

The Abduction of Psyche, Bouguereau

“The Abduction of Psyche” is an 1895 oil painting made by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. The art piece depicts Psyche, goddess of the soul, being carried off by Cupid—alternatively known as Eros, god of love—to his palace. The two lovers' story comes from the “Metamorphoses” by Ovid. Aphrodite, the mother of Eros, demands her son prick the beautiful Psyche with one of his arrows to make her fall in love with a horrendous monster. However, Eros becomes enraptured by Psyche and decides not to follow through with his mother's wishes, choosing to marry Psyche instead. (UW Manifold)

The Lovers by René Magritte

Being intimate without ever truly touching, these lovers exist alone yet together. Magritte's imagery compels us to question the depth and authenticity of our relationships. The masked lovers invite us to contemplate the masks we willingly or unwillingly wear. MOMA. The lovers might crave deeper intimacy, but the veil implies a permanent barrier—so desire is intensified, not satisfied.

Slow Dance, 1992-1993, Kerry James Marshall

Say

• Art can help to mirror life to capture the human experience. Select one image above that depicts Eros love the best to you. Why?
• Write a love letter to your first Eros lover. Think about how they may have impacted your life. No need to send it; just honor that love for what it was.
• How might you revive passion in a relationship whose eros passion has faded?

Do

• Check out the Love Consortium, a global network of researchers that facilitates the collaborative use of archived data to advance the scientific study of social connection (love).
• Visit an art museum or gallery. Search for Eros love in the paintings and sculptures you see there.
• Make an artwork as an ode to Eros love. (collage, painting, or drawing)
• Make a playlist of 5 songs about passion. Listen with your lover.

Loving the Weekly Wonder? Please forward it to a friend, or buy me a coffee to say thanks! Oatmilk flat white :)

Yours in wonder,

​

Please share your reflections with me by replying to this post, or post and tag my Wonder Wander Facebook or Instagram pages!

Browse the Weekly Wonder archives for more art and inspiration.

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​