3-065-656 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Valentine," by W. Hunt, 1874. Engraving of a painting. 'The young gentleman who sat for the picture...has not bought his valentine ready to hand; he is honestly committing himself to an effusion which, if not original, is autographic. He has not certainly good looks in his favour; still he may, by-and-by, be a successful suitor with such straightforward procedure as he practises as a boy. There is a sly twinkle in his eye which we ascribe to a secret consciousness of his own poetical and calligraphic [sic] ingenuity, not to any mischievous intention. Need we say, in conclusion, that the original drawing has all William Hunt's characteristic humour in the representation of rustic boys'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.