‘Beyond Face Value’: What French banknotes tell us about history
Summary
An exhibition looks at the history, culture, and symbolism of these notes
At an ongoing exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, one can see a banknote for 500 Francs issued in 1994 in which the figure of scientist Marie Curie is right in the centre. Her husband and fellow scientist, Pierre, is shown standing just a little behind her. The two of them shared the Nobel Prize for physics in 1903, after which Marie went on to win her second Nobel for chemistry in 1911. Researcher-curator Rukmini Dahanukar finds it commendable that France honoured the Polish-born scientist, who later became a naturalised French citizen, with a banknote. “The note acknowledges a woman scientist and puts her at the forefront like she deserves. Also, the choice of the colour depicts radioactivity," says Dahanukar, who has put together the show, Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Design from Around the World.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the NGMA and Alliance Française de Bombay, and this particular banknote is one of the 25 being showcased from Dahanukar’s private collection. “French banknotes from across the globe are more than just monetary instruments—they are artistic masterpieces imbued with history, culture, and symbolism," states the gallery note. “With their intricate designs, romanticism, and craftsmanship, these banknotes transcend their face value, offering a glimpse into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of cultural heritage."
Dahanukar’s interest in this field of study came about while she was looking for a subject for her thesis while pursuing Masters in Communications from California State University. “I wrote my thesis on the launch of the Euro, the loss of identity and the creation of a new transnational identity," she shares. This interest is not new. Nearly two decades ago, she started collecting banknotes and now has a collection of 4,000. “There is so much to discover in these banknotes—from history to art, design, communication, propaganda, representation and more," she says.
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Dahanukar is currently writing a book on the subject. The current exhibition came together after a discussion with Laurent Vergain, director, Alliance Française de Bombay. “For me, banknotes are not just tools of commerce; they are reflections of the times, values, and artistic expressions of a nation. This exhibition is an opportunity for all history and art enthusiasts to explore a slice of Francophone culture and expression before the emergence of the Euros," he says. The exhibition has travelled to Puducherry, Ahmedabad and Delhi before arriving in Mumbai, where large-size banknote replicas have been showcased next to their real size prints. Some real banknotes are on display as well. “20 years ago, when I had proposed my dissertation topic, one of my professors had remarked that banknotes are the most exchanged artwork in the world and hardly anyone talks about that," says Dahanukar.
The exhibition is on till 24 April at the NGMA, Mumbai, from 10 am to 6 pm.
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