Valentine 1850 - 1870

This Valentine, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was made by an anonymous maker out of paper. The delicate lace-like filigree surrounding the central motif is achieved through meticulous cutting, piercing, and layering. This level of detail speaks to the skill and time involved in its creation. The embossed figures and colorful printed elements add visual depth, while the central image of doves nestled amongst flowers evokes themes of love and peace. The production of such valentines was a cottage industry in the 19th century. Often, women were the primary makers, working from their homes. This card would have been relatively inexpensive to produce, yet it embodies an enormous amount of hand work. This tension – between intimate, handcrafted labor, and commercial exchange – reminds us that even the most sentimental objects are touched by broader economies of production. Appreciating this context allows us to move beyond the simple dichotomy of art versus craft.