Oh, Had We Only Met in Time (valentine)
c. 1850
Medium
Collaged elements over lithograph in green ink, with watercolor and pen and brown ink on cut and embossed ivory wove paper (lace)
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 25.6 × 21.7 cm (10 1/8 × 8 9/16 in.)
Classification
valentine
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
75578
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
Created around 1850 by artist George Meek, this delicate valentine captures the romantic sentimentality of the Victorian era. Its wistful title, “Oh, Had We Only Met in Time,” suggests a message of longing and missed connection, themes that resonated deeply in an age when elaborate paper tokens often served as expressions of courtship and affection. The folded sheet, measuring just over ten inches, would have been a treasured keepsake, blending personal emotion with the growing popularity of commercially produced yet hand-finished cards. Meek’s technique showcases the intricate craftsmanship ...