Asignaat van 15 sols, 1793 1793

This is an assignat of 15 sols, created in 1793 by Domaines nationaux, during the tumultuous period of the French Revolution. The immediate visual impression is one of stark, functional design, dominated by bold typography and simple graphic elements. The composition is rigidly structured, dividing the small rectangle into defined zones of text and symbolic imagery. Note how the central inscription of value, "quinze sols payable au porteur", is emphasized through size and placement, anchoring the design. Flanking this, we see allegorical figures, symbols of justice and liberty, rendered in a neoclassical style that was so popular during the period. The stark contrast of black ink on white paper heightens the graphic impact, reflecting the urgency and utilitarian purpose of this form of currency. Despite its modest size, the assignat functions as a potent symbol, revealing the intersection of art, economics, and political ideology in revolutionary France. Its aesthetic form is inseparable from its intended function within a society undergoing radical change, reflecting the philosophical and political discourse.