Card-Maker, from Encyclopédie 1762 - 1777

“Card-Maker,” a copperplate engraving by Benoit Louis Prevost from the *Encyclopédie*, depicts the tools and process of card making in the 18th century. The print, dated 1762-1777, is part of a larger illustrated encyclopedia that aimed to disseminate knowledge across various fields. Prevost’s engraving, with its detailed depictions of tools and materials, offers viewers a glimpse into the craftsmanship of card making during the Enlightenment. The scene showcases an array of implements, including cutting knives, a tool for compressing cards, and a brush for applying glue. The engraving serves as a visual record of the manual labor involved in this craft, highlighting the intricate processes of card production in pre-industrial times.