F.e de Maouna from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" 18th century

This playing card, “F.e de Maouna” from the Jeu d'Or series, presents us with an intriguing allegorical scene. At its heart, a woman cradles a child, set against the backdrop of a turbulent sea and a ship in distress. The woman and child motif speaks to the archetypal image of the Madonna, or perhaps Venus holding Cupid. Consider its echoes across centuries, from ancient fertility goddesses to Renaissance paintings. Yet, here, the familiar symbol takes on a disquieting edge with the nearby shipwreck. The ship may be a symbol of fortune, but in ruin it becomes a reminder of human vulnerability. The juxtaposition reveals the transience of life and the capriciousness of fate. These symbols of motherhood and misfortune are cyclical, appearing repeatedly through time, their meanings shaped and reshaped by the collective unconscious. The image captures a moment of intense emotion, engaging us on a primal level, reminding us of the enduring power of symbols to convey profound truths about the human condition.