Exploring Love in Text and Image
On 12 February 2025, the Warburg Institute will host Love in Text and Image, a unique workshop designed to celebrate and examine the many forms of love—from the classical world to the present day. Organised by Florence Forte, the event blends philosophical inquiry with hands-on creativity, featuring lightning talks by Warburg staff and students, followed by an interactive greetings card-making session inspired by the Institute’s rich collections.
In this interview, we speak with Florence to uncover the inspiration behind the workshop, what participants can expect, and how exploring love through text and image offers new perspectives on an age-old theme.
What inspired the idea behind this workshop and what can participants look forward to?
The idea for this workshop stems from two long-standing interests: love and greetings cards. I have enjoyed making cards since I was young and over the years, I have researched and taught classes on love and the classical tradition across literature, philosophy and art. After organising a similar event in Florence for Valentine’s Day last year, I thought it would be nice to celebrate and examine “love” from various Warburgian perspectives, engage with sources in our collection and bring people together for a fun, interactive event in our newly-opened spaces.
The workshop is designed to be both philosophical and hands-on. In the first hour, we will delve into different aspects of love in text and image through a series of four, 10-minute ‘lightning talks’ by Warburg staff and students. Then, participants can look forward to making their own greetings card to take home with decorative materials provided, including images connected to each speaker’s talk and sources from the Institute’s Iconographic Database.
Can you give us a sneak peek into the topics the speakers will be addressing in their lightning talks?
Our first and keynote speaker is Alessandro Scafi, Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Renaissance Cultural History, who will guide us through the concept of Mapping Love. As Alessandro explains: ‘Armed with formidable weapons, love has the power to shatter our peace of mind, yet it can also inspire us to embark on a journey toward happiness. From the early modern era to the present, the intangible nature of emotions and relationships has been anchored in the enduring structure of an imaginary geography.’ The second topic is Love from Above with Gavanndra Hodge: ‘Of all the terrestrial forms that Zeus assumed in order to have intercourse with mortal women, the shower of gold is the most mysterious and open to manifold reinterpretations, visual and literary. It is the overlaps between Mary and Danae and their experiences of divine sex that I shall explore in this talk. Glitter will be provided.’
Next, George Brocklehurst will initiate us into the mysteries of eros with Diotima of Mantinea, An Afterlife in Images: ‘Diotima’s philosophy of love has had an enduring cultural influence that spans from Greek patristics to modern depth psychology. This talk uses the iconography of Socrates’ encounter with Diotima to reflect on ideas of the interplay between love and philosophy.’ Finally, I will speak on Profane and Sacred Love: From Latin Love Elegy to Modern Music, which will address the question ‘Is Latin Love Elegy about love (‘amor’) or war (‘Roma’)?’, by revealing some patterns that emerge across the love poetry of Catullus, Ovid, Eminem, Lauryn Hill and Taylor Swift. For a fun twist, I have also asked each speaker to share their Sun and Venus placements, which could offer some astrological insights into our approaches to this topic.
Are there specific classical or historical texts and images you’re excited for participants to engage with during the workshop?
One core text that I am excited for us to reflect on is Plato’s Symposium and a corresponding image is the ‘Ladder of Love’, which has been used in various contexts to represent an ascent from physical love of a particular person (eros) towards a more sacred, higher love (agape). There will also be famous Latin quotes by ancient poets making an appearance, from omnia vincit amor to odi et amo. For the card-making session, I have also selected several woodcut illustrations from the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili - a mysterious Renaissance text first printed in 1499. The book tells the story of Poliphilo, who embarks on a dreamlike journey to find his love, Polia. Hopefully, the classical and architectural imagery from these illustrations will provide some fitting inspiration for our creative pursuit.
What do you hope participants will take away from this workshop, both intellectually and creatively?
My hope is that participants will leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of love and its many forms, and an insight into the fascinating patterns that can unfold across texts, images and cultures over time. This exploration, in itself, offers a glimpse into Warburgian principles and perspectives. Through the hands-on component, I also hope that participants will enjoy partaking in the historical tradition of making and sending Valentine’s Day cards whilst engaging with intellectual ideas from our ‘lightning talks’ in a more personal, creative way. Ultimately, the most tangible takeaway will be a handmade card: serving as a keepsake or a vehicle to spread love – whether platonic, romantic or divine!
