Untitled Valentine (Country Girls with Dog)

Art Historical Context

Step into the sentimental world of Victorian romance with *Untitled Valentine (Country Girls with Dog)* created by Thomas Wood around 1860–69. This charming collage depicts two rural young women accompanied by a loyal dog, evoking the simple joys of countryside life and innocent affection. Folded to a petite 7 × 9.3 cm, it was likely designed as a personal token of love, unfolding to reveal its intricate details—a testament to the era's booming valentine tradition. Wood's masterful techniques shine in the use of gold paint layered with collaged elements on cut and embossed ivory wove paper. The embossing creates a tactile, three-dimensional surface, mimicking lace or fabric, while collage adds textured depth through pasted motifs. This handmade approach blends folk artistry with emerging commercial printing innovations, making it a rare survivor in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings collection. In the 1860s, valentines shifted from elite pastimes to widespread expressions of emotion, often featuring pastoral scenes symbolizing purity and fidelity. Wood's work captures this cultural shift, highlighting how everyday creators elevated paper crafts into keepsakes of enduring sentiment. A delightful glimpse into 19th-century hearts!