Untitled Valentine (Putti on Blue Ground)
c. 1850
Medium
Collaged elements on cut and embossed (designed) ivory wove paper
Dimensions
Folded sheet: 8.3 × 6 cm (3 5/16 × 2 3/8 in.)
Classification
collage
Department
Prints and Drawings
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
129032
Art Historical Context
This charming *Untitled Valentine (Putti on Blue Ground, created around 1850, captures the sentimental spirit of Victorian-era romance. During the mid-19th, elaborate handmade valentines were a beloved custom for expressing affection, often exchanged on February 14th as tokens of courtship or friendship. Folded to a petite 8.3 × 6 cm, this intimate card would have fit perfectly in a pocket or envelope, its small scale inviting private admiration. Crafted by an unknown artist, the piece showcases innovative collage techniques on cut and embossed ivory wove paper—a fine, smooth stock prized for...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...