Valentine

Art Historical Context

**Valentine** by Stella Mosher, created around 1941, captures the whimsical spirit of American folk art through a meticulous rendering in watercolor, graphite, and and ink on paper. 41.7 x 35.8 cm, this work documents an original object just 10 by 8 inches, preserving its delicate details with artistic precision. As part of the National Gallery Art's Index of American collection, it exemplifies the project's mission to celebrate everyday American craftsmanship. The Index of American Design, Federal Art Project under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) from 1935 to 1942, employed artists like Mosher to create vibrant, accurate records of folk objects amid the Great Depression. These renderings safeguarded cultural heritage for future generations, blending documentary accuracy with artistic flair. Mosher's use of layered media—watercolor for soft hues, graphite and ink for sharp outlines—highlights the tactile charm of the Valentine, likely a handmade card or ornament evoking early 20th-century sentimentality. This piece invites visitors to appreciate how ordinary items like valentines embodied American ingenuity and emotion, bridging art, history, and heart in a single, enduring image.