With My Kind Love (valentine) c. 1864

This valentine, "With My Kind Love," of unknown date by George Meek and housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, is striking in its delicate use of material and design. The visual experience is dominated by a complex, symmetrical arrangement of lace-like patterns in soft pink. These floral motifs create a palpable sense of texture, further enhanced by the scalloped edges of the card. The central oval disrupts the overall pattern and draws attention, featuring a bouquet of flowers and the inscription. Here, Meek employs a semiotic system where flowers signify affection. However, this card destabilizes fixed meanings. The intense detail of the pink tracery contrasts with the relatively plain central image. Ultimately, the valentine challenges traditional associations of love and beauty, complicating the notion of sentimentality through its intricate design and material execution. The structural tension creates a visual discourse that goes beyond mere romantic expression.