Eugène Delacroix, calling card 1817 - 1863

This calling card, whose maker is now anonymous, was made for Eugène Delacroix using paper and ink. Though seemingly simple, this object speaks volumes about the social and material culture of its time. Paper, in this era, was becoming increasingly industrialized, yet handwriting remained a highly valued skill, signifying education and social standing. The ink, likely iron gall, etches into the paper, a testament to the labor involved in producing both the writing and the material itself. Consider the contrast: the card's physical form, now easily replicable through industrial means, bears a message crafted through meticulous, individual effort. This juxtaposition highlights the shifting dynamics of labor, politics, and consumption in the 19th century. By examining such an object, we appreciate how materials and modes of production infuse even the most commonplace items with cultural significance, bridging the perceived gap between craft and fine art.