Valentine

About this artwork

Step into the sentimental world of mid-19th-century America with *Valentine* by Esther Howland, between 1850 and 1860. Howland, often hailed as the "Mother of the Valentine" in the United States, the mass production of elaborate greeting cards inspired by British imports. This delicate ephemera piece, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection, captures the Victorian era's romantic fervor, when Valentine's Day blossomed into a commercial phenomenon. At just 3⅝ by 5¼ inches, it was designed to be mailed or hand-delivered, evoking heartfelt emotions through intricate craftsmanship. The artwork showcases innovative techniques of the time: open-work paper with lace-like cutouts, cameo embossing for raised, jewel-like motifs, chromolithographed die-cut scraps in vibrant colors, and layered colored paper. These methods allowed for affordable yet luxurious designs, blending printmaking precision with handmade charm—chromolithography, a burgeoning color-printing process, added vivid florals and cupids that popped against the textured base. Culturally, *Valentine* reflects a shift toward accessible sentimentality, transforming personal love tokens into a burgeoning industry led by Howland's Worcester, Massachusetts, operation. As a gift to the Met in 1981, it preserves a slice of everyday artistry, reminding us how ephemera like this bridged art and affection in everyday life.