Steen of kleitablet met een tekst before 1879

This is a photograph of a stone or clay tablet with inscribed text by André Quinsac, who lived in France during the latter half of the 19th century. Quinsac's era was marked by significant shifts in artistic and intellectual thought, as well as growing interest in history and archeology. The tablet—dense with lettering—invites contemplation on the nature of communication, memory, and the enduring presence of the past. How do we decode these messages from another time? What stories do they conceal, and what cultural values do they reflect? Quinsac’s work reflects the 19th-century desire to capture and preserve cultural artifacts. It encourages us to consider how we engage with historical narratives and whose stories are preserved. It underscores the subjective nature of historical interpretation and the importance of acknowledging the voices and experiences of those often marginalized in conventional historical accounts.