Visitekaartje van steendrukker François Desterbecq te Leiden 1831 - 1839

This is François Desterbecq’s business card, a lithograph printed in Leiden. Its refined graphic execution immediately signals a sense of luxury and bespoke craftsmanship. The card's composition is structured by a rectangular frame, enclosing the business’s name and address. The eye is drawn to the elaborate decorative border. These naturalistic motifs create a play between organic growth and geometric order. The border’s intricate vegetal patterns and the symmetrical placement of fantastical creatures, such as sphinxes, speak to a broader artistic context. The emphasis on symmetry and ornamentation can be interpreted through semiotic systems. The business card communicates prestige and permanence through recognizable symbols and artistic conventions of the time. This card functions not just as a practical tool, but as a statement of identity and aspiration, deeply embedded in its cultural moment.