The New Yorker Cover - Feb 14, 1970

The cover art features a clean, graphic composition. A pair of white-framed windows are thrown open against a solid, intensely blue wall. Through the window, a pale blue sky with soft, white clouds is visible. Floating centrally in the sky is a single, simple red heart. In the foreground, a light-colored wooden floor with precisely drawn floorboards grounds the scene. The artist's signature, "Le-Tan," is located in the bottom right corner.

Artistic Insight

Pierre Le-Tan was celebrated for his distinctive and delicate illustrative style, characterized by a cross-hatching technique and a sense of nostalgic mystery, though this particular piece showcases his command of flat, bold color. The illustration's power lies in its elegant simplicity and surreal quality.

The image functions as a visual poem. The window, a classic symbol of opportunity, longing, and the separation between interior and exterior worlds, opens up to the vastness of the sky. Placing the heart outside, suspended in the air, evokes multiple interpretations: it can represent a love that is open and free, the feeling of love being "in the air," or a sense of yearning for a love that is just out of reach. The composition has a quiet, meditative quality, inviting the viewer to contemplate the nature of love and hope on Valentine's Day. Le-Tan's clean lines and uncluttered scene distill a complex emotion into a single, memorable, and poignant image.

Our ready-to-hang premium wooden frames, crafted from responsibly sourced oak or ash, feature unique wood grains for added character, making them ideal for those seeking to showcase world-class quality artwork:

• Ready-to-hang: Includes hanging kit, ready to hang directly on the wall.
• Frame Material: Responsibly sourced oak and ash wood.
• Frame Color: Natural wood, black, and white, showcasing the distinct wood grain.
• Frame Measurements: 20mm (0.79") thick and wide, wider than the classic 14mm (0.55") frame.
• Paper Weight: 200 gsm (80 lb), thickness: 0.22 mm (8.7 mils), durable and long-lasting.
• Paper Finishing: Matte, smooth, uncoated finish.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the poster.
• Sustainable Paper: FSC-certified materials or equivalent.