Ace of Batons 1751

Claude Burdel created this woodcut, "Ace of Batons", during the late 18th century, a period of immense social and political change in Europe. Cards like these were not simply for parlor games; they were mirrors reflecting the societal structures of the time. The hand gripping the baton is not just any hand, but likely a representation of the laboring classes whose physical strength was essential to the economy, yet whose power was systematically suppressed. The baton itself, bursting with foliage, could be a symbol of growth and potential, or perhaps, the fertile land that was the source of both sustenance and contention. The Ace of Batons invites us to reflect on whose hands have historically held power, and who has been excluded. As you consider this image, think about the untold stories it holds, of the workers who built nations, of the land that sustained them, and of the systems that sought to control them both.