Faithful to Thee (valentine)
c. 1850
Medium
Collaged elements and watercolor, with pen and brown ink on cut and embossed ivory wove paper
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 17.6 × 11.6 cm (6 15/16 × 4 5/8 in.)
Classification
valentine
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
75828
Art Historical Context
Step into the romantic world of mid-19th-century America with *Faithful to Thee*, a charming valentine from around 1850, now housed in the Art Institute Chicago's Prints and Drawings. This folded sheet, measuring just 17.6 × 11.6 cm when, unfolds to reveal a heartfelt declaration of love, crafted anonymously by a devoted admirer. As a classifiedentine, it captures the's burgeoning tradition of sentimental cards exchanged on February 14th, blending artistry with commercial influences. The artwork's medium showcases remarkable handmade ingenuity: collaged elements combined with watercolor and p...
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...