Life — February 14, 1895 — page 5: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "St. Valentine" - Life Magazine Page 101 This is a Valentine's Day illustration by Albert D. Blashfield depicting an elegant woman in fashionable early 1900s dress as the central figure. She holds Cupid's arrow and a heart-shaped object labeled "ST VALENTINE." The scene shows a classical garden setting with cherubs, decorative columns, and other figures in the background. The elaborate styling—her fur-trimmed coat, fashionable hat, and the luxurious setting—suggests this celebrates romantic ideals of the era. The illustration appears to be a lighthearted satirical take on Valentine's Day customs among the wealthy elite, presenting romantic love as an ornate, theatrical performance rather than genuine emotion. The cherub at bottom left emphasizes the whimsical, artificial nature of the holiday's observance among high society.