Le trésor artistique de la France 2 after 1877

Curator: Here we have an item from the Rijksmuseum collection entitled "Le trésor artistique de la France 2," a printed work dating from after 1877, realized by diverse makers and made using paper and typography. Editor: My first thought is the evocative nature of aged paper. Those spots—are they foxing? There’s something quite romantic and historical in seeing time marked on this page. Curator: Indeed, and thinking of the book's title - "The artistic treasure of France"- these marks could symbolize, for instance, how national treasures can embody collective memory. They aren't static objects but evolve, and maybe decay, through interaction with political events and shifting societal values. Editor: Absolutely. And let's remember the significance of Saint-Denis, referenced in the subtitle about "La Boîte d'Évangéliaire", likely meaning a box or reliquary for the Gospels, and what treasures it contained! Historically, Saint-Denis was deeply intertwined with French royal power and identity. A printed record, such as this page, helped circulate ideas and legitimize narratives. Curator: Precisely, by visually associating its publication with the sacred artifacts of French royalty in Saint-Denis, even on humble paper, an air of authority is attained through these symbolic traces of a grand religious and monarchic narrative. We see how books such as this shaped, even manufactured, narratives around French identity. Editor: One could explore further what constitutes an 'artistic treasure' through a critical lens. Who decides what is included and why? What gets left out? This then prompts us to look closer into how such choices can reflect the politics of representation. Curator: Absolutely. How are cultural priorities expressed, and for what audience was it intended? I am seeing the rise of nationalism within Europe, and with what the artist tries to visually align this publication to solidify ideas concerning national unity. This isn't merely documenting the past; it actively shapes it. Editor: So, considering its historical role and inherent material qualities, a simple book page ends up speaking volumes about power, history, and the very construction of French national identity. Curator: Quite, it urges us to think about the cultural forces actively involved in determining national treasures, especially then and equally, now.