L'Afrique from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" 18th century

This card titled L'Afrique, was printed anonymously as part of a game, “Jeu d’Or”. The image is one of a set representing the continents, made using an intaglio printmaking process. Take a close look and you can see how this process influenced the final appearance. First, the design would have been incised into a metal plate, probably copper. Ink was then applied, pushed into the recessed lines, and the surface wiped clean. Finally, damp paper was pressed against the plate, transferring the ink and creating the image. The texture comes from the heavy pressure used. The print was then hand-colored to enhance the symbolic meaning of the continent and to appeal to the buyer. These cards were not just about entertainment. They reflect a culture of resource extraction and trade, revealing complex colonial dynamics through symbolic imagery. Each card embodies extensive labor, from the engraver's skill to the colorist's handiwork. This reflects the globalized world of its time, connecting labor, consumption, and cultural representation.