Valentine 1875 - 1880

This Valentine card presents us with a tender scene evoking classical myth, fashioned with delicate lace. Dominating the composition is Cupid, poised to strike with his arrow, embodying the overwhelming power of desire. Cupid, or Eros, links back to ancient Greece, where he wasn't merely a cherubic figure, but a primordial god, a force of chaos and creation. His presence here reflects a lineage stretching from the whispered desires of Sappho to the flamboyant declarations of the Renaissance. Note how this cupid echoes figures in Renaissance paintings, where similar winged beings guide destiny and influence human affairs. Over time, Cupid’s arrow evolved from a symbol of uncontrollable chaos to a symbol of flirtation and courtship. The lace frame, with its web-like pattern, hints at the entangling nature of love, underscoring the complex interplay between freedom and constraint. This constant return and reinterpretation of symbols highlight the cyclical nature of human experience.