Valentine 1842 - 1875

"Valentine" is an anonymous 19th-century American paper-cutting artwork created between 1842 and 1875. The piece, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features intricate lace-like cutouts, a small circular scene of a landscape with a church, and a book with the inscription “Love Endureth Forever.” The delicate and detailed work in this small-scale piece is characteristic of Victorian-era paper cutting, a popular craft that allowed for the creation of both decorative and sentimental objects. This charming valentine expresses enduring love and affection through its symbolism and craftsmanship, highlighting the cultural importance of love and sentimentality in 19th-century American society.