Page of Cups 1751

This is "Page of Cups," a hand-colored woodcut on laid paper, created by Claude Burdel in the 18th century. The eye is immediately drawn to the bold, flat planes of color – the vibrant reds, blues, and yellows that define the figure's attire. The composition is rigidly organized, with the figure centered and framed by the card's border. Burdel’s use of line is economical, yet precise, delineating form and texture with a graphic clarity. The Page’s costume, segmented into distinct blocks of color, is not merely decorative; rather, it presents a visual code, a semiotic system. The vertical stripes of the tunic disrupt the body’s natural form, questioning conventional representation. The textures, particularly the rough hatching of the ground, add a tactile dimension, contrasting with the figure's smooth, almost geometric rendering. This interplay between texture and geometry challenges our perception and calls into question fixed meanings.