Love (Valentine) c. 1850

Editor: This miniature watercolor drawing on paper, titled "Love (Valentine)", dates back to around 1850. The lacy, intricate details immediately strike me as delicate and quite precious. What is your read of this piece? Curator: The fragility you observe is significant. Consider this piece in the context of Victorian society, where courtship rituals were highly codified and often relied on elaborate material expressions. The handmade quality of this valentine, its intricate cutouts, and delicate watercolor washes, all speak to a desire for genuine, personal connection within those rigid social structures. How does the presence of Cupid, a classical figure, fit into this narrative, do you think? Editor: Well, Cupid clearly symbolizes romantic love. I guess I hadn't thought about how using that familiar imagery connects personal feelings to established, almost institutional, ideas about love. Curator: Precisely. And what about the use of lace? How does that decorative element contribute to the valentine's message beyond mere aesthetic appeal? Editor: Lace signifies luxury and skill... maybe suggesting that love requires careful crafting and isn’t simply a given? And the work and cost involved further emphasize the sender’s feelings. Curator: That's insightful. Think also of the labor involved, particularly for women. This valentine, in its crafting and its presentation, becomes an object embedded in a complex network of social and cultural meanings. It’s much more than just a sentimental card; it's a statement. Editor: I'll definitely look at valentines, and other decorative arts, differently now. Seeing them as social objects with their own histories is really eye-opening.