Assignaat van 250 livres, 1793-1794 1793 - 1794

Editor: We're looking at an "Assignaat van 250 livres," a French assignat dating from 1793-1794. It’s a printed engraving, and the stark typography gives it a really austere, almost threatening feel. What stands out to you about this piece? Curator: Oh, I’m immediately struck by the weight of those words, literally and figuratively! It's more than just a piece of paper; it’s a symbol of a revolution grappling with itself. Look at the inscription: "La loi punit de mort le contrefacteur" – counterfeiting is punishable by death! It speaks volumes about the instability of the time and the desperate measures taken to maintain control. Don't you find that kind of unsettlingly captivating? Editor: Absolutely! That bold warning does highlight the anxieties of the time. I guess I hadn't thought about money being a symbol of state power so directly. Curator: Exactly! And think about the Neoclassical style, all those severe, straight lines, the rational fonts. It’s the revolution trying to present itself as this ordered, reasonable force even as chaos reigns. Does that tension jump out to you, or is it just me reading too much into some old cash? Editor: No, no, I see it! The text layout, like columns on a building… It’s trying to project stability. It’s kind of like when people try to act calm when they are under great stress. So the design tries to mask underlying desperation? Curator: You got it! It’s a beautifully crafted lie, perhaps, but a potent one. A real slice of history pressed onto paper. Editor: That's incredible. I’ll definitely never look at money the same way again. Thanks!