Te Utrecht ongeldig gemaakte assignat van tien livres, serie 60, uitgegeven 16 december 1791 Possibly 1791 - 1792

This small paper object is a ten-livre assignat, printed in 1791, but quickly defaced – marked “faux” and stamped “Utrecht.” As a material, paper money is fascinating. It only has value because it is collectively assigned, both designed and literally assigned worth. This particular example, printed at the dawn of the French Revolution to address a financial crisis, was clearly intended for widespread circulation. The typography and ornamental border speak to this ambition. Yet the presence of handwritten annotations and overprinting suggests a rapid loss of faith in the currency. We can only imagine the anxiety and desperation of the person who took the time to mark this assignat as a counterfeit. The fate of this small piece of paper reminds us that materials, making, and context are crucial to understanding the full meaning of an artwork, blurring traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.