With heaty guud wishes 

Carl Reichert, an Austrian artist, painted this work, titled 'With heaty guud wishes', though the exact date remains unknown. Reichert, celebrated for his animal paintings, particularly of dogs and cats, lived through a transformative period in European history, one marked by shifting class structures and evolving social expectations. Here, we see three puppies nestled in a basket, one even bears the marker 'Valentine's', suggesting a commercial context. The slightly misspelled sign, "With heaty guud wishes," adds an interesting layer to the work, perhaps a commentary on language or literacy. Does it underscore the aspirations of a rising middle class, eager to participate in cultural traditions, yet perhaps still finding their footing? Despite the sentimentality, there is also a quiet commentary on the commodification of affection, offering us insight into the evolving dynamics of love, class, and consumer culture in late 19th-century Europe.