Untitled Valentine (Putti Surrounding a Cameo) 1855 - 1859

This delicate, cut-paper valentine of unknown date was created by G. Ingram. Valentines like this one served as complex expressions of love and affection, steeped in the social rituals of courtship. At first glance, the elaborate design of putti and flowers evokes an idealized vision of romance, yet, if you look closer, the use of a printed text as the base reveals a tension between the handmade and the mass-produced. This juxtaposition offers an alternative narrative about the labor, class, and consumerism involved in the rituals of love. Who was Ingram, and what circumstances led them to create such an intricate piece? The ambiguity surrounding the artist's identity invites us to consider the countless, often anonymous, individuals whose emotional lives are preserved through these objects. It serves as a poignant reminder of the human desire for connection and the complex ways we express our deepest feelings.