As every year, the History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj-Napoca celebrates Valentine's Day in a special way, through the annual event entitled The Feast of Love. In 2017 the focus is on the history of the depictions of the heart. How did the heart end up as the symbol of romantic love? The heart was always considered the seat of emotions and the ancient authors envisaged the organ as having three chambers and a dimple in the middle. Artists attempted to depict the heart according to this description might have ended up "inventing" the geometric heart shape we are so familiar with today. During the Renaissance the symbol was used in both lay and religious context, in iconic depictions such as The Instruments of Christ's Passion. During the Baroque era it was often used on Romantic letters and cards. Meanwhile, the anatomically correct depiction of the heart also became popular through publications and teaching plates and the organ was identified as the body's blood pump.
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| Event poster - The Feast of Love at the History of Pharmacy Collection |
The History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj-Napoca invites visitors to discover both types of hearts in the decoration of the old apothecary shop (hearts and cornucopia, signs of plenty), on apothecary items (romantic hearts, doves and flowers on 18th bottles for the Elixir of Love) and on medical plates (part of the Medical Equipment Collection).
The Feast of Love will be celebrated on February 25th 2017.
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| Heart and cornucopia, 18th century medallion in the Officina |
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| Heart on a medical plate |
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| Heart and doves on an 18th c bottle for aphrodisiac drinks |
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| Heart-shaped decorations on an 18th c apothecary recommendation letter |
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