F.e d l'Isle de S.te Cristine from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" 18th century

Editor: So this is “F.e d l'Isle de S.te Cristine from playing cards "Jeu d'Or"” from the 18th century, currently residing at the Met. It's quite small, a miniature, and the colours feel muted but detailed. The figure seems almost theatrical. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: What interests me is the materiality of this object and its relation to social life. This playing card is not simply an image; it's a commodity produced for a specific purpose – a game. We should ask: what kind of labor went into producing this card? What materials were available, and how did their cost affect its design? And who had access to it? Editor: That's fascinating! I hadn't considered it beyond the image itself. So, are you saying the paper, the inks, the printing techniques...they all tell a story about the 18th century economy? Curator: Exactly. Think about the textiles depicted on the figure – the shawl and the skirt. What did it cost to produce them, and how did that affect the choices of colour and style here? Was there a relationship between the artist’s rendition and the actual labour performed for similar articles of clothing during that period? Editor: Wow. So it's not just art for art's sake, but also a record of production. It’s about value – how value is created materially and socially. That shifts my perspective completely. Curator: Indeed, by examining these everyday items and the labour and materials involved, we gain insight into the socio-economic fabric of the past. The ‘Jeu d’Or’ wasn't just fun, but was itself part of economic structures and the way people spent their time and money. Editor: I guess I learned today that the medium isn’t just the message – it’s the whole economic system! Thanks!