Valentine 1850 - 1860

This Valentine card, made by an anonymous hand, presents us with a fascinating tableau of love’s enduring symbols. Roses, emblems of affection and beauty since ancient times, intertwine with a wreathed silhouette that calls to mind classical Roman laurels. The rose motif echoes through art history, from its sacred association with Venus, the goddess of love, to its medieval allegories of courtly love. Notice how the arrangement of roses at the base grounds the composition, offering a tangible, sensory richness that contrasts with the delicate tracery above. The use of wreaths appears in ancient Greek and Roman art, denoting honor and victory, and, in a continuous symbolic evolution, these elements combine to convey a profound emotional narrative. The collective memory associated with flowers and architectural silhouettes suggests themes of longing, hope, and the tender vulnerability inherent in affairs of the heart. Such symbols engage us on a deep, subconscious level, resonating with our own emotional experiences and cultural understanding of love. These symbols are in non-linear, cyclical progression, and resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings in different historical contexts.