Playing Card c. 15th century

Curator: This diminutive card, crafted circa the 15th century by an anonymous artist, is executed in ink on paper. It's known simply as "Playing Card". What strikes you first about it? Editor: Honestly? The boldness of the lines. It's such a raw, direct style, you know? A sort of charming, clumsy elegance—that is what appeals most, it brings a certain humor that cuts across the ages, to be frank. Curator: Indeed. The rudimentary lines are fascinating when considered in the context of its time. The period favored overt displays of wealth, piety, and so on—that is evident through conventional symbols; and this card adopts a vernacular stance on status and society. The figure, clearly delineated, could symbolize the ‘Joker,’ a cultural emblem embodying mockery. This emblem carries cultural memories of medieval court jesters who were truth-tellers permitted to mock kings. Editor: It's interesting that you use "mockery" there...it's got me thinking about how we might subconsciously seek the truth in jest. What do you reckon the hat-like thing he’s holding signifies? Some form of a scepter? Curator: Perhaps. Or, quite oppositely: imagine how its function could evolve—as symbols morph in a society based on what society deems to be “of-value”, perhaps the holder mocks ‘high’ culture of the period, making use of rudimentary symbols. Perhaps that makes it powerful precisely through its subversion of traditional artistry—it represents freedom through an aesthetic disruption. It is indeed in that regard “of value”. Editor: Love that! It’s almost as if the artist anticipated that meaning is transient—relative. By embracing the absurd, it’s more like a mirror—for each era, each beholder. Curator: Exactly, like looking back into the symbolic world from which we came, reminding us that every now and then, one can only know what’s up if things are upside down. Editor: Well, that makes me feel slightly better about losing at cards. Curator: And for me about winning, thank you.