George Kershaw
George Kershaw was an artist or producer active in the early 19th century, with documented production spanning the period between 1801 and 1835. Kershaw is primarily known through surviving examples of sentimental ephemera, specifically valentines, reflecting popular commercial printing trends of the era.
The focus of the artist's output, as preserved in institutional collections, centers on devotional and romantic themes. Documented works include An Offering of Love, Gift of Friendship, Is it Weakness thus to Dwell, and the lengthy title Dearest, May My Love for Thee be Equaled by Thy Truth to Me.
A total of fifteen works attributed to Kershaw are represented in museum holdings, comprising one print and fourteen other documented objects. Works by the artist, including May Thy Path be Strewed with Roses, are maintained in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The preservation of these unique George Kershaw prints establishes the artist’s contribution to 19th-century popular graphic production. As these historic works become available through the public domain, they allow for the continued study of high-quality examples of early 19th-century printed sentimentality.
