The iconic Philadelphia 'Love' statue that tourists are obsessed with just got a huge makeover

Advertisement

The statue, first brought to the park for the American Bicentennial in 1976, has gone through a few different looks during its time in the park.

The statue, first brought to the park for the American Bicentennial in 1976, has gone through a few different looks during its time in the park.
Advertisement

On Tuesday, it was paraded around Philadelphia to crowds of LOVE-snapping onlookers before it was returned to its permanent home.

On Tuesday, it was paraded around Philadelphia to crowds of LOVE-snapping onlookers before it was returned to its permanent home.
Advertisement

The statue sits across the street from Philadelphia's City Hall, which you can see here in the background.

The statue sits across the street from Philadelphia's City Hall, which you can see here in the background.

The original art was not a sculpture at all, but a simply-styled piece of 1960s pop art from creator Robert Indiana.

The original art was not a sculpture at all, but a simply-styled piece of 1960s pop art from creator Robert Indiana.

Indiana originally designed the image as a Christmas card for the Museum of Modern Art in 1965, more than a decade before it went to Philly. Since then, it has appeared on stamps, banners, rings and sculptures around the world.

Advertisement

For years, the love sculpture in Philadelphia was accented in blue and green, a departure from its original hues.

For years, the love sculpture in Philadelphia was accented in blue and green, a departure from its original hues.

This year it has been returned to its original color scheme: red, green and purple.

This isn't the first time the sculpture's been taken down in Philadelphia.

This isn't the first time the sculpture's been taken down in Philadelphia.

It was briefly removed in 1978 before the city decided it should have a permanent spot in its park, and then lifted away again here in 1999, for restoration.

Advertisement

Deborah Wye, retired chief curator of prints at the Museum of Modern Art, says the image is "full of erotic, religious, autobiographical, and political underpinnings."

Deborah Wye, retired chief curator of prints at the Museum of Modern Art, says the image is "full of erotic, religious, autobiographical, and political underpinnings."

Wye argues the sign often served as an "emblem of 1960s idealism," an iconic reminder of free love.

More recently, it's been the site of some wedding vows.

More recently, it's been the site of some wedding vows.
Advertisement

And snowball fights, too.

And snowball fights, too.

The iconic symbol isn't just Philadelphia's, though.

The iconic symbol isn't just Philadelphia's, though.
Advertisement

There's another copy of the statue in New York, and translated versions of the sculpture around the world, including one in Hebrew in Jerusalem.

There's another copy of the statue in New York, and translated versions of the sculpture around the world, including one in Hebrew in Jerusalem.

Whatever your feelings about Valentine's Day may be, one thing's for sure: There's just a little more LOVE out on display today.