Valentine 1860

This "Valentine" was made by Esther Howland, and its confection involves paper lace, embossed paper, watercolor, and metal leaf. The overall design of the valentine relies on a hierarchical, symmetrical composition, framed by elaborate embossed gold paper that draws the eye inward. The central motif, featuring a knight and lady, is intentionally stylized. The figures are rendered in flattened, almost silhouetted forms, which reduces depth and emphasizes the surface texture of the paper. This visual treatment serves to flatten the symbolic meaning: love is not represented through realistic portrayal, but through a shared understanding of signs and cultural codes. Howland's work challenges conventional artistic categories, operating as both a manufactured good and a handmade craft. This reinterpretation of form and function extends to the materials themselves, where cheap paper and mass-produced elements mimic high art.