As a great man once said, the secret of love is art. Or, something like that.

These days, we turn to greeting cards and very special can’t miss TV specials for our projections of love on Valentine’s Day. But before the last 75 years or so, art did all the saucy murmuring for us. For proof, we need travel no further than City Park.

At the New Orleans Museum of Art, there are plenty of images that communicate that most maddening of emotions. Below are some highlights that display the many variations on this universal theme. You don’t even need a date to peruse.

Click here to see seven romantic works from NOMA and their descriptions.