Romantic Misunderstandings

acrylic on wood
2006

Romantic Misunderstandings began with just a head floating in outerspace. We researched beheadings and found many legends about St. Valentine. On February 14 around the year 278 A.D., Valentine, a holy priest in Rome in the days of Emperor Claudius II, was executed.

Under the rule of Claudius II (photo above), marriage was outlawed to make it easy for soldiers to join the army. A lottery of names gave the men a new lover each year. Valentine, a leader in the underground Christian movement, performed marriages in secret. When Claudius II discovered this he had Valentine beaten, beheaded, and his head served to Valentines' blind lover.

Nothing is certain, but it's a great story.

Jason of Flying Coffin used this design to print tees and crews. They are all sold out from his line, but we have a stash available.