Floskaartjes 1833 - 1870

This sheet of 'Floskaartjes,' or playing cards, was made by Glenisson & Van Genechten, using a relatively simple printing technique. The cards’ production likely involved the creation of a master image, perhaps cut into wood blocks, and then printed on paper. The limited color palette suggests that each color was applied in a separate pass. This kind of printmaking process allows for mass production, making images widely accessible. The cards show figures from different social classes. Mass-produced visual materials like these playing cards tell us a lot about industrialization and its impact on daily life. By examining the materials and production methods, we uncover the democratization of images, which were once luxury goods for the elite. This piece challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, inviting us to think about how images circulate in society.