Almanach de Normandie pour l'année bissext. 1788 1787 - 1788

Curator: It's hard to believe this charming little object hails from pre-revolutionary France! This is the "Almanach de Normandie pour l'année bissextile 1788," a beautifully crafted almanac created by La Veuve Besongne & Fils. Editor: It’s quite striking, a pocket-sized world of refined elegance. The embossed gold decoration against the soft paper—there’s something very precious about its materiality, even at first glance. Curator: Indeed. Almanacs like these weren't just calendars; they were status symbols, containing everything from astronomical information to social etiquette and fashion advice. The title translates roughly to "Almanac of Normandy for the leap year 1788". This one would have been printed in 1787 for use the following year. Editor: And the phrase within the cartouche, "L'amitié engage a vous le donne" translates to "Friendship requires me to give it to you" or similar. The choice of font within the oval feels central. Given its decorative program of gold leaf, hearts, and flowers, this was surely created and given as a love token, or sentimental token. Curator: Absolutely. The decorative elements, that intricate golden border, speak volumes about the culture of the period. The level of embossing too shows the economic capability of its commissioner. It suggests a world deeply invested in aesthetics, but on the cusp of radical change. These types of cultural artifacts offer crucial details in helping paint that story. Editor: It truly bridges those private and public worlds so intimately. A small, decorative art object, it's simultaneously precious and eminently readable. Curator: It reminds us that even as social and political upheaval was brewing, everyday life, and small moments of human connection and craftsmanship, continued. It is now safely preserved here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a small treasure representing the vast history from which it comes. Editor: And even more so when placed within our contemporary experience. This simple item demonstrates how we constantly use form and function to articulate deeper truths and affections.