F. d' Ulietca from playing cards "Jeu d'Or" 18th century

Editor: This is "F. d'Ulietca from playing cards 'Jeu d'Or'," dating back to the 18th century. It's a print on paper with etching and drawing, currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It has the feel of a rococo playing card. The figure in the center seems to be striking a pose with bow, quiver, and some sort of calculating slate! What's your take on it? Curator: It strikes me as whimsical – a fleeting glance into a world obsessed with symbolism and playful allegories. Playing cards during the Rococo period were more than just games; they mirrored social dynamics and fashionable trends. Think of it as performance; this individual almost dares you to question his authority, you know, “does he really have a calculator and weapon?” Do you think this is more caricature than portraiture? Editor: Perhaps a bit of both? It is certainly stylized. Is he supposed to be from a specific place, “d’Ulietca?" Curator: Possibly from the artists' imaginings! Ulietca sounds almost foreign or exotic, certainly beyond the immediate French culture. I love the questions and potential formulas lining the piece -- are we dealing with a fortune-teller or even the idea of pre-determination? Editor: That’s a cool connection --the idea of destiny as part of the fun, as you were saying about games and how serious or non-serious games could be in that era. I see how you're weaving together the details here! Curator: Art's like a treasure map; every glance reveals more clues. It goes from "quaint curiosity" to "I wonder…" with patience and asking “why” to unlock even more secrets within that game. Editor: Exactly! Now I want to examine Rococo-era games! Thanks!