New Yorker Covers That Capture Valentine’s Day Romance
Love, Laughter, and Candy Hearts
Ah, Valentine’s Day—the holiday of heart-shaped candies, those awkwardly sweet “Will you be mine?” notes passed around in class, and the giddy excitement of classmates who had no idea what romantic love meant (I still don’t). I still remember those “Check Yes or No” notes, the sheer drama of it all, and how seriously we took those fleeting crushes.
Confession time: as I’ve gotten older, I’ve admittedly soured a bit on the whole Valentine’s romance thing. Let’s face it, the holiday can feel a little… Hallmark-y. But despite that, there’s something endlessly entertaining about watching people dive headfirst into the rituals of love—overpriced dinners, extravagant gestures, and all. And while my feelings on romance may have shifted, I still enjoy seeing the ways artists depict the hilarity, peril, and sweetness that come with love.
That’s what makes the New Yorker Valentine’s Day covers so fascinating. These illustrations reflect the ups, downs, and sideways twists of human connection, told with humor, heart, and a perfect pinch of cynicism.
New Yorker Covers: A Timeless Valentine’s Day Tradition
For nearly a century, The New Yorker has delighted readers with covers that capture the spirit of the times, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. These covers highlight the many shades of love—playful, poignant, awkward, and everything in between. Whether it’s a classic depiction of romance or a clever twist on modern relationships, the artwork offers a thoughtful reflection of how we celebrate (and sometimes fumble through) this holiday of the heart.
Valentine’s Day is often steeped in traditions like exchanging cards, giving roses, or sharing chocolates, but The New Yorker takes it further, spotlighting the humor, quirks, and surprises that make love such a universally relatable experience. Each cover, in its own way, invites us to laugh, smile, or reflect on the moments that make this holiday so special.
Did You Know? Fun Facts About Valentine’s Day Traditions
The OG Love Letters
Sending Valentine’s cards isn’t just a Hallmark invention. Back in the 15th century, the Duke of Orléans penned love poems to his wife while locked up in the Tower of London—talk about committing to the bit. By the 1800s, mass-produced Valentine’s cards were everywhere, becoming a staple of the holiday.
Those Little Candy Hearts? They Have a Past
You know the pastel conversation hearts with messages like “Text Me” or “LOL”? (Classic millennial vibes.) Turns out, they started in the mid-1800s, and—brace yourself—they were originally used as medical lozenges. Yup, nothing says “I love you” like a chalky throat remedy. Thankfully, they got a sweet upgrade and became the sugary Valentine’s staple we know today.
Cupid: The Original Love-Hate Character
Forget the chubby baby with wings—Cupid was the Loki of Roman mythology: a little chaotic, a lot mischievous, and definitely not here to make your dating life easy. Known as Eros in Greek mythology, he was more of a brooding god of desire. His rebrand as an adorable cherub? That came courtesy of the Renaissance, and honestly, it stuck. Truth be told, Cupid was kind of a little rat bastard.
Love, Art, and New Yorker Covers
Valentine’s Day might be a “Hallmark holiday,” but there’s no denying the universal pull of love—whether it’s romantic, platonic, or a complicated mix of the two. The New Yorker covers have a way of capturing this with their sharp humor, timeless illustrations, and uncanny ability to poke fun at our shared rituals of love.
From those heart-shaped candies and awkward love notes of childhood to the big gestures and quiet moments of adulthood, the journey through Valentine’s Day is anything but predictable. And that’s what makes these covers so special—they reflect all the joy, awkwardness, and hilarity that comes with matters of the heart.
So whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a Valentine’s skeptic, or somewhere in between, take a moment to appreciate the way these artists bring love to life—one cover at a time.
