Valentine
1850–70
Medium
Cameo-embossed lace paper, chromolithography, metallic die-cut, graphite
Dimensions
Width: 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm) Length: 5 3/16 in. (13.2 cm)
Classification
Ephemera|Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Richard Riddell, 1981
Accession Number
1981.1136.596
Art Historical Context
Step into the sentimental world of Victorian romance with *Valentine*, a delicate masterpiece crafted by Esther Howland around 1850–70. Known as the "Mother of the Valentine" in America, Howland pioneered mass-produced greeting cards, transforming imported English traditions into an accessible U.S. phenomenon. This small card, measuring just 3 7/16 by 5 3/16 inches, captures the era's fervor for heartfelt expressions during Valentine's Day, when elaborate notes became a cultural staple for courtship and affection. The artwork showcases innovative printing techniques of the time: cameo-embosse...
About the Artist
Esther Howland · 1828–1904
American, Worcester, Massachusetts 1828–1904 Quincy, Massachusetts