Presentation Page. Flower Garland and Humming Bird 1838

Mrs. E. W. Wirt made this presentation page with ink and watercolor, featuring a garland of flowers and a hummingbird. Without a precise date for the artwork, we might situate this image within the context of 19th-century American visual culture. Floral imagery and the natural world were important avenues for women’s artistic expression. The presentation of this image, dedicated to "Miss Jane E. Wilson by her friend Mrs. Wirt" suggests a world of female friendships and social exchanges. The garland itself, bursting with different blossoms, frames the dedication, emphasizing the act of giving and receiving. Hummingbirds often symbolize joy, healing, and adaptability. Here, it hovers delicately, perhaps representing the preciousness of these relationships. The act of creating and gifting such images speaks to the emotional labor and care that women invested in their social bonds.