When Duty Calls You Far Away (valentine)
c. 1842
Medium
Lithograph in brown ink with hand-coloring on ivory wove paper
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 22.7 × 18.7 cm (8 15/16 × 7 3/8 in.)
Classification
valentine
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
75452
Art Historical Context
Step into the sentimental world of 19th-century romance with *When Duty Calls You Far*, a poignant valentine from around 1842. Created by an unknown artist, this folded lithograph captures the heartache of lovers parted by obligation—perhaps a soldier, sailor, or traveler summoned afar. Produced during a time when Valentine's Day customs were blossoming in America and Britain, it reflects the era's blend of patriotism and personal devotion, offering solace through shared affection amid uncertainty. Printed in brown ink on delicate ivory wove paper and enhanced with hand-coloring, the medium e...
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...