Untitled Valentine (Cupid on the Back of a Dog)

Art Historical Context

This charming mid-19th-century valentine, created by George Meek between 1850 and 1859, the playful spirit of Victorian-era courtship. Measuring just 7.6 by 10.5 centimeters when folded, the small embossed ivory wove paper sheet was designed as an intimate token of affection. Its classification as a collage highlights the era’s inventive use of layered and textured paper elements to create depth and whimsy within a modest format. The central motif of Cupid perched on a dog’s back captures the lighthearted romantic imagery popular in the 1850s, when Valentine’s Day cards evolved from handwritten notes into elaborately decorated objects. Embossing techniques allowed artists like Meek to raise delicate designs from the paper surface, adding tactile richness without requiring expensive materials. Such works were often exchanged privately, blending sentiment with the emerging culture of printed ephemera. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, this piece offers a window into the everyday artistic practices of the period. Its modest scale and clever subject matter remind us how personal expressions of love were crafted with ingenuity and care during the Victorian age.