Symbolic and anatomic heart depictions

The topic can be explored Saturday, February the 25th, at the History of Pharmacy Collection in Cluj-Napoca. With the aid of a special visit sheet, those interested in the Feast of Love can discover several depictions of the heart on different objects exhibited in the museum and in different places of the old pharmacy of the city located here. The heart was not always used as a symbol of romantic love, while, at the same time, the correct anatomical depiction of the organ has remained for centuries a mystery.

See for example the romantic hearts depicted on eighteenth-century bottles for the Elixir of Love. The recipe is also available :) 

The event is held in Unirii Square 28, Saturday February 25th, between 10 AM and 4 PM. One can also visit the temporary exhibition "Animals that heal" and the item of the month - Aloe vera.

Instructions for discovering the iconographic history of the heart

 

map of the heart depictions at the History of Pharmacy Museum in Cluj-Napoca

The feast of love 2017 - a history of the heart

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.

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.

Heart and cornucopia, 18th century medallion in the Officina

Heart on a medical plate

Heart and doves on an 18th c bottle for aphrodisiac drinks

Heart-shaped decorations on an 18th c apothecary recommendation letter