Valentine - Mechanical -- four layers, merrymaking 1870 - 1880

This charming, miniature, hand-colored, “Valentine - Mechanical” print, is a celebration of Valentine's Day, a theme popular in the late 19th century, especially in the United States. Created sometime between 1870 and 1880 by an anonymous artist, it depicts a young girl in a pink dress scattering flowers near a fountain. This scene is framed by a floral arch, and a small boat lies on the water. With its delicate detail, it is an example of a type of Victorian visual culture that embraced sweetness and innocence.