Geschiedenis van het Franse muntgeld c. 1860 - 1870

Editor: This is A. Duvernel's "Geschiedenis van het Franse muntgeld," or "History of French Currency," made around 1860-1870. It seems to be a mixed-media print, probably an engraving. It’s a bit chaotic, almost like a collage of historical documents. What's your take on this piece? Curator: The chaos is the point, I think. This work engages with the instability inherent in systems of currency. By presenting a jumble of different bills and coins, Duvernel visualizes the fluctuating power dynamics tied to economic control. Consider the historical context – mid-19th century France was a period of immense political and social upheaval. Editor: So, the different currencies aren’t just about different values, but different power structures? Curator: Precisely! Each piece of currency represents a particular regime, a specific set of values—both economic and political. Ask yourself: whose faces are on these bills? What symbols are present? This isn't just about money; it's about who controls the narrative, whose history gets told, and whose value is prioritized. Notice the tension between realism and academic art; it mimics real documents yet it's a crafted representation. Editor: I see it now! The way different powers rise and fall throughout French history mirrors the rise and fall in value of the different types of currency presented in the work. Curator: Exactly! And beyond just the political landscape of France itself, how might this relate to larger narratives of colonialism, economic exploitation, and the legacy of empire? This image, seemingly just about French currency, becomes a lens through which to view broader systems of power and control. Editor: That’s incredible! I was just seeing a messy pile of money. Now I'm seeing a history of power. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It’s when we recognize these connections between art, history, and systems of power that the real conversations begin.