Valentine 1874

This Valentine was printed by Marcus Ward & Co., using chromolithography, one of the most popular printmaking methods in Victorian England. Valentine's Day was undergoing a social transformation at this time, becoming a commercially driven celebration, with the mass production of cards. Greenaway’s image speaks to the romantic and sentimental themes that were trending at the time. The card depicts a couple in Renaissance-inspired clothing, sitting in a vibrant landscape that evokes themes of pastoralism and nostalgia for simpler times. It accompanied a short romantic poem. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references to the Victorian ideals of love, nature, and beauty. Examining trade publications, census records, and business archives, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the social and commercial history surrounding the production and consumption of popular images like these.