Three of Swords 1751

Claude Burdel created this “Three of Swords” card using woodcut and stencil around 1750 in Switzerland. Tarot cards were not only a parlour game but also served as a means of instruction and social commentary. Cards like this were a response to a growing demand for accessible imagery, yet they also reflect the social hierarchies of the time. The sword, a symbol of power and authority, is repeated, perhaps commenting on the rigid social structures. The use of stencils allowed for mass production, making these images accessible to a wider audience, yet the imagery would have been carefully chosen to reflect and reinforce societal values. Notice how the composition is designed to be easily read and understood, emphasizing the role of imagery in conveying messages to a diverse audience. Historians would consult archives, social histories, and studies of popular culture to understand the significance of this card. Through such research, we can uncover the complex ways in which art reflects, reinforces, or challenges the norms of its time.