Valentine 1876

This Valentine card was made by Kate Greenaway in the late 19th century, using watercolor and ink. Doves, symbols of peace and affection, encircle a young couple, reading or reciting poetry. The presence of doves can be traced back through centuries, from ancient Greek depictions of Aphrodite with doves, representing love and renewal, to their use in Renaissance paintings as emblems of the Holy Spirit. Consider the dove's transformation. Initially a symbol of divine love, it finds its way into secular art, adorning love letters and Valentine's cards. The image touches something deep within us, a collective memory of gentleness. Perhaps this is why doves evoke such a powerful response. The cyclical nature of these symbols is worth noting. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, all while retaining a connection to their origins.