Untitled Valentine (Large Purple and Yellow Flowers) c. 1815 - 1865

This delicate Valentine, made by Dobbs Kidd, features paper worked with incredible detail, using techniques not usually associated with fine art. It's made from a single sheet, folded, pierced, and embossed. Look closely and you'll see the intricate network of tiny holes creates a lace-like pattern, surrounding the central image of purple and yellow flowers. These would have been made with specialized tools called prickers and punches. The embossed areas add a tactile, three-dimensional quality. A final flourish comes from the delicate painting of the floral design and the small bird at the bottom. The creation of such an elaborate card speaks to the rise of industrial production and consumer culture. Intricate paper lace, once painstakingly handmade, was now achievable on a larger scale, due to new technologies and piece-work. This allowed for more affordable expressions of affection, and transformed Valentine’s Day into a mass phenomenon. Considering the materials, making, and context of this piece, can we really say that it is just craft? Or does it challenge distinctions between art and the everyday?