Untitled Valentine (Three Hearts)

Art Historical Context

**Untitled Valentine (Three Hearts, created around 1865 by Berlin and Jones is a delicate treasure from the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints Drawings collection. This intimate collage, folded to a compact 9.3 × 13.6 cm, features three hearts crafted from collaged elements on cut andossed ivory wove paper Produced during the post-Civil War era in America, it exemplifies the burgeoning popularity of sentimental valentines—affordable tokens of affection exchanged on February 14th. Berlin and Jones, likely a collaborative duo or studio specializing in such ephemera, employed innovative techniques for the time: intricate cutting created layered depth, while embossing added tactile relief to the fine ivory wove paper, mimicking luxurious fabrics or lace. This collage method elevated everyday paper into a three-dimensional love letter, blending folk craft with emerging commercial printing trends. Valentines like this bridged personal handmade expressions and mass-produced sentiment, reflecting Victorian ideals of romance amid societal upheaval. Today, it offers a glimpse into 19th-century emotional culture, where even small artworks carried profound personal weight. Visitors will appreciate its whimsy and craftsmanship—a heartfelt reminder of love's enduring artistry.