Untitled Valentine (Heart on Fire) 1850s

This small, undated Valentine card, made with paper and ink by John Windsor, presents us with a curious mix of heartfelt sentiment and social ritual. These paper lace valentines became popular in the Victorian era, a time when social etiquette and courtship were highly codified. The flaming heart, a traditional symbol of passion and devotion, is softened by the delicate, handmade lace paper surrounding it. These cards were tangible expressions of affection. The labor-intensive process of creating them, cutting intricate patterns by hand, speaks to the value placed on personal connection in an increasingly industrialized society. The presence of this card in the Art Institute raises questions about how we understand the social life of images. What was once an intimate exchange now resides in a public institution. The historian's role is to piece together these fragments of the past using social context, material culture, and institutional histories to better understand their meaning. Art's value lies not only in its aesthetic qualities but also in what it tells us about the world in which it was created.