As a sensible human being, when it comes to gifting advice, you most probably wouldn’t turn to that practical friend who works in the accounting field. That being said, we’re probably being “jobist” (prejudice towards people with a specific job or career) here, I’m certain there are accountants out there who give the best gifts of all. But as an act of love, I would personally turn to people who are more outwardly emotionally aware than others, and a perfect example of this kind of person would be artists.
Taking cues from some of the most famous artists of all time, The Future Rocks’ Editorial team studies the (love) lives of these great minds and their tendencies in romantic relationships. Learn from the artists below and find out what it means to hit the bullseye in gifting this Valentine’s Day.
Jean-Michel Basquiat to Madonna
The power couple in the art scene at the time enjoyed a brief affair in 1982. While Basquiat was already a booming artist, making a name for himself in the industry with his work exhibited in galleries and museums internationally, Madonna was still a rookie, preparing for her debut namesake album. Though their fling didn’t last, its impact on pop culture and the art world lingers.
After ending his relationship with Madonna, Basquiat reclaimed the paintings he had gifted to the pop star and painted them black due to concerns that she might resell them, which he felt would diminish the authenticity of their connection. The artwork's title, alluding to the collectible Pez sweet dispenser, has led some to speculate that the dinosaur featured in the painting signifies Basquiat's intent to create thought-provoking contradictions. Some theorists propose that this symbol may serve as a cautionary message about the negative aspects of capitalism.
Taking their relationship to a modern era where The Future Rocks already exists, Basquiat could’ve taken a milder approach in his reaction towards the breakup. Say, for example, gifting Madonna Maazi’s Dinosaur earring, which then acts as a constant reminder of the nefarious nature of capitalism.
Andy Warhol to Truman Capote
The controversial artist’s personal life was almost just as colorful as his signature pop-art painting style. Being first mistaken as an asexual, Warhol eventually began living openly as a gay man, expressing his queer identity in both life and art. As one says, the unreachable always fascinates, while having multiple high-profile relationships with men, Warhol’s fixation with famed author Truman Capote was “tabloid-worthy” in the modern era.
Warhol developed a keen interest in author Truman Capote, even bordering on obsession. He sent postcards to Capote's home and started following him, even waiting outside places Capote frequented. Warhol's persistence led to an unexpected invitation to Capote's apartment by the writer's mother. Following this encounter, Warhol began calling Capote daily until Capote's mother intervened. Their connection eventually evolved into a friendship in the 1970s when their cultural paths intersected.
One way to turn his obsession into a healthy desire would be for Warhol to gift Capote Matilde’s Desejo necklace, meaning "desire" in Portuguese, the Desejo necklace features a unique, hypnotic shape of dripping 14k recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds.
Salvador Dalí to Elena Ivanovna Diakonova
Dalí's sexuality significantly shaped his artistic endeavors. Known for his lasting aversion to female genitalia alongside a fear of impotence and intimate relations, Dalí’s love life was (in a way) not as fruitful as other artists on the list.
Dalí first encountered his lifelong partner, Elena Ivanovna Diakonova, commonly known as Gala, when he was just twenty-four years old. Despite their ten-year age gap, they lived together for fifty-three years until her passing. Upon the death of Gala, Dalí secluded himself in the Castle of Púbol in Spain, which he had acquired specifically for Gala in the late 1960s, refusing sustenance and company. He even prohibited mention of Gala's name. In his 1973 work, "The Unspeakable Confessions," Dalí expressed his deep devotion to Gala, declaring the entire castle a tribute to her. He described the house as a celestial cathedral, emphasizing Gala's sovereignty and his own profound attachment to her, encapsulated in the mansion he bestowed upon her.
Same as the Castle of Púbol, Chateau de Sully is a castle that is part of the Chateaux de la Loire ensemble and is known for its imposing round towers. To further prove his undying love for Gala, Dalí could consider Mimoke’s Sully Ring, one that he would not be locked out from, requiring a written request for entry. Yes, he was not allowed in the Castle of Púbol without his wife’s approval in advance.
Pablo Picasso to Marie-Thérèse Walter
One of the most difficult artists to pin down for this article. Needless to say, Picasso’s love life was a painting that draws itself (pun intended). Having at least 9 significant relationships that were acknowledged by the painter himself, to identify the greatest love of his life was indeed a trick question that he may not even have the answer to. Fortunately, with the help of multiple scholars and art enthusiasts, his relationship with Marie-Thérèse Walter might indeed be the most important. That is, to his career, at the very least.
Being Picasso’s “golden muse”, Walter was the inspiration for the artist’s numerous artworks and sculptures. Following in Walter’s footsteps, María de la Conceptión Picasso (daughter of Picasso and Walter), commonly known as Maya, was the subject of as many as 14 portraits by Picasso, marking the most significant series dedicated to one of his children. These paintings beautifully intertwine his paternal happiness with his artistic fulfillment, capturing the poignant essence of his joy as both a father and an artist.
Exemplifying joy, may the Joyful Necklace act as a daily delight for the father-daughter duo, in remembrance of the many great memories they both shared.
Keith Haring to Juan Dubose
In one of the more intimate sharings from the artist himself, Haring shared a personal story he’s had with Juan Dubose, his lover of the time.
“Juan came with me to Christmas to a family reunion thing for the entire family. My Father has ten brothers and sisters. It’s a Marine Corps family. All my Father’s relatives are Marines; I know that I could have been a Marine. On one side there is this really macho thing, but there is also this thing of pride in yourself and in family and in real simple things. I could have done all that, but it was even more incredible to have their respect even though I was not a Marine and even though the whole family knew, by now figuring it out, that I’m gay. Haring is their name, too, and what I’ve done makes them incredibly proud. And though we never talked about it, after coming to New York and visiting me when I was living with Juan, my parents finally accepted him as part of the family, buying him a present at Christmastime.” - Keith Haring, 1989
As a token of acceptance into the Haring family, Eureka's Figure Ring would’ve made a perfect gift, marking a significantly intimate moment for the sweet couple. Expressing the wonder and grace of a wave crashing onto the shore, the Figure Ring is the perfect representation of the Haring family’s background.