In Joy and Sorrow Think of Me (valentine)
c. 1840
Medium
Collaged elements and watercolor, with pen and blue ink on cut and embossed ivory wove paper (lace)
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 13.5 × 9.2 cm (5 3/8 × 3 5/8 in.)
Classification
valentine
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
75865
Art Historical Context
Step into the sentimental world of 19th-century romance with *In Joy and Sorrow Think of Me*, a delicate Valentine crafted around 1840 by an unknown artist. This folded sheet, measuring just 5⅜ × 3⅝ inches, captures the tradition of handmade valentines exchanged on February 14th, when sweethearts professed enduring love through intricate, personal creations. The poignant title evokes a promise of constancy, reflecting the era's Victorian emphasis on emotional depth and fidelity amid life's ups and downs. What makes this piece shine is its masterful use of mixed media on ivory wove paper, meti...
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...