Thou Art the Star that Guides Me (valentine) c. 1840

Curator: This exquisite piece, held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, is titled "Thou Art the Star that Guides Me (valentine)" by Joseph Addenbrooke, dating back to around 1840. It incorporates drawing and print elements on paper, offering a delicate glimpse into the romantic era. Editor: Oh, wow, just looking at it, I get this overwhelming sense of longing. It's like a whispered promise, so fragile, almost dissolving into the lacy background. Curator: Precisely. These valentines were often intricately designed objects, imbued with deep sentimental meaning. We need to consider the social conventions of courtship at that time, particularly for women whose agency in choosing partners was limited. Valentines became a sanctioned means to express emotion, a crucial outlet. Editor: It does feel coded, doesn't it? I love how the text intertwines with the florals—the orange trumpet flowers particularly catch my eye. They seem to boldly reach out amidst all this soft, pastel vulnerability. A secret shout? Curator: The floral arrangements indeed speak volumes, in the language of flowers; each blossom carries symbolism. The "star that guides me" sentiment is reinforced visually by the ascending composition, a symbolic journey toward hope and connection. It reflects broader Victorian values and, importantly, also demonstrates the artist’s awareness and critique of gendered expectations in courtship and marriage. Editor: So it's a statement, both romantic and, in a way, defiant? Thinking about it, the delicate lace edging, which at first seems so conventionally 'feminine', might even be a metaphor for the constricting societal expectations? Curator: A compelling observation. We cannot ignore how such seemingly harmless art can be weaponized, used to voice covert expressions that challenged dominant power structures of its time. Editor: Makes you wonder what the recipient thought, and what stories this little card holds. So much conveyed through so few lines. Curator: And the interplay of text and image, deeply rooted in 19th century socio-political dialogues concerning identity and love, offers modern audiences an invaluable lens into the past. Editor: Well, I'm leaving here not just smitten, but utterly inspired. The piece whispers such intricate messages, both romantic and socio-critical. It serves as a powerful reminder that even seemingly simple artworks are profoundly complex.