Thou Art to Me (valentine) c. 1840

This delicate Valentine's Day card, "Thou Art to Me (valentine)," was created by artist George Meek around 1840. The card features a delicate lace design and hand-painted roses. The card is small in size, just 143 × 94 mm (folded sheet), making it a personal and intimate message. The card's sentiment, "Thou art to me... the morning star," expresses the deep affection the sender has for the recipient. This card is a beautiful example of early Victorian sentimentalism, a common motif in 19th-century art. The artwork, now in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago, gives us a glimpse into the romantic language of the era.