Visitekaart van Philippe Metayer, tabakshandelaar 1785 - 1833

This calling card for Philippe Metayer, a tobacco merchant, was etched by Jean Bernard in the late 18th or early 19th century. Notice the image of Paris framed by an ornate border. The city, often depicted as a symbol of civilization, wealth, and progress, harkens back to ancient Rome, where cityscapes on coins celebrated imperial power. The continuous presence of such motifs reveals a deep-seated human desire for permanence and order. We can see a similar impulse in medieval tapestries where walled cities represented safety and divine order. The image of the city evolves, reflecting cultural shifts, but the underlying themes of identity and aspiration persist, engaging us on a subconscious level. It is a visual echo, resonating through time, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.