Valentine 1875 - 1880

This Valentine card, made anonymously, presents us with a curious confluence of love and conflict. Central is the figure of a soldier, frozen mid-stride. A blue ribbon unfurls around him, bearing a plea: "I pray you, smile on me." The soldier, returning home from war, evokes a complex interplay of emotions—relief, hope, but also the lingering shadow of trauma. The act of returning, of homecoming, resonates deeply within our collective psyche, echoing through time from Odysseus's long journey to the anxieties of soldiers returning from modern battlefields. Observe the soldier raising his hat in jubilation. This same motif can be seen across centuries and cultures. Consider how a similar gesture appears in classical antiquity, symbolizing triumph and victory. The lace border, delicate and intricate, creates a stark contrast with the soldier's martial attire. The lace, often associated with domesticity and femininity, frames the scene, perhaps representing the longing of the loved one awaiting his return. It is a poignant reminder of the psychological weight of war, the deep, subconscious yearning for peace and reunion that transcends time.