Affections and Love (Valentine)
c. 1850
Medium
Collaged elements with watercolor and pen and brown ink on cut and embossed ivory wove paper (lace)
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 17.6 × 11.5 cm (6 15/16 × 4 9/16 in.)
Classification
valentine
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
75877
Art Historical Context
Step into the sentimental world of Victorian romance with *Affections and LoveValentine)*, a delicate handmade card from around 1850. Created by an unknown artist, this folded sheet measures just 17.6 × 11.5 cm, perfect for tucking into a pocket or envelope as a token of affection. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and department, it exemplifies the era's passion for personalized expressions of love on Valentine's Day. The artwork's charm lies in its masterful techniques: collaged elements, watercolor, and pen with brown ink adorn cut and embossed ivory wove paper, ingeniously m...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...