Love Me or I Die (Valentine) c. 1840

Curator: Here we have an object from the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, a Valentine's card entitled "Love Me or I Die," dating to around 1840. The card features drawing and print work on paper, representative of the Romantic style prevalent at the time. Editor: Whoa, talk about a declaration! Love me or I die! A bit dramatic for a Tuesday afternoon, isn't it? The lace border, that delicately rendered rose, all whisper sweet sentiments, but that little scroll... total mood killer. Curator: That sentiment, while seemingly melodramatic to us today, captures the intense emotionality valued during the Romantic period. Think of the literary and artistic expressions of love and despair, the glorification of extreme feelings. Editor: I suppose so, it just feels, I don’t know...like pinning all your hopes on one blush-colored rose. There's something a bit heartbreaking in that level of vulnerability and that black or dark green leave at the bottom that doesn't go at all with this lovely thing. Is it only me or can you also notice that is the same shape with other leaves? Curator: It also offers insight into the material culture surrounding courtship in the 19th century. Valentines weren't merely store-bought cards. The handmade nature suggests a personal investment. Mass production also greatly impacts access and meaning over time. The ability to access such items allowed an exchange among social groups that never had this possibility. Editor: Okay, seeing it that way is far more appealing, It's this whole ritual, almost like a stage play enacted through paper and ink. This little paper melodrama provides a glimpse into a specific historical script of love and affection. You know it's odd but somehow also funny that only four leaves are colored. Curator: Precisely. These cards operated within established social norms and power dynamics, reflecting gender roles, class distinctions, and the public performance of private emotions. It is an intriguing artifact. Editor: Yes, it truly does invite a peek into a very specific world, a fleeting moment caught in lace and paper. Now I look at it I admire the daring expressed when gifting or creating something like this to give. It’s not for everyone.