Valentine 1847 - 1879

"Valentine" is an intricate Victorian-era paper cut-out card created by Esther Howland, a pioneer of commercial Valentine's Day cards in the 19th century. This delicate work of art, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, features intricate lace patterns, colorful backgrounds, and images of cherubs, hearts, and a charming scene with a robin. Howland's artistry in this delicate craft has immortalized her as a significant figure in the history of Valentine's Day greetings. The card's intricate details and sentimental imagery evoke the Victorian era's romantic aesthetic and highlight Howland's masterful use of papercutting.