Greeting Card 1810

This greeting card was made by Johannes Endletzberger in the early 19th century. It’s made from watercolor, gouache and metal leaf on paper. It depicts a woman carrying a basket of flowers, and it's inscribed with a verse in German that translates to "The gentlest of flowers, friendship is born. Bless you in your steps, the flower goddess." Produced in Austria, this sentimental card speaks to the culture of Biedermeier, an era between 1815 and 1848. This was a period of increasing political repression, and saw the rise of a middle class who turned to domesticity and private life, finding solace in nature and close friendships. The card also offers an interesting example of artistic patronage outside formal institutions. Popular imagery and handicrafts like this one reveal a desire for beauty and personal expression within the confines of everyday life. Art historians can learn more about this period through studies of popular literature, social histories, and analyses of domestic objects. These help us understand the conditions under which art like this was not only made, but cherished.