Mais c. 1800

This is a hand-colored engraving depicting an ear of corn, created by an anonymous artist. The print, made during a time of expanding global trade, showcases the botanical marvels that fueled economic and cultural exchange. Consider how the image creates meaning through visual codes and historical associations. Corn, or maize, originated in the Americas, but it was also known as "Blé de Turquie," or Turkish wheat, in France. The use of this terminology reveals a limited understanding of global geography in the 18th century. It also subtly hints at the complex trade routes and colonial histories that facilitated the circulation of plants like corn. Was this image meant to inform, or to stimulate trade? By consulting historical texts, botanical records, and trade documents, historians can uncover the meanings embedded in this artwork and contextualize its role in the broader narrative of globalization.