Valentine 1842 - 1875

This Valentine, crafted by an anonymous hand, presents a delicate dance of symbols. Note the cherubs—echoes of Cupid, the Roman god of desire—hovering at the top and bottom. These figures, derived from classical antiquity, embody a yearning for connection. Consider how these motifs reappear across time and space. The cherub, once a symbol of divine love, transforms into a secular messenger of affection. Think of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," where cherubs guide the goddess to shore, a motif adapted here to guide the winds of love. Observe how the central image of the house, the "domus," a symbol that is steeped in meaning, carries a sense of longing and belonging, a promise of hearth and home. This symbol represents the culmination of romantic love. Thus, a cycle of symbols begins again, resurfacing, and gaining new relevance.