Pam is the Knave of Clubs

A still-life composition by Robert Dighton including a bulging money-bag resting on the “Court Kalendar”, with mother-of-pearl gaming counters. Against the bag lean five playing-cards showing William Pitt (then prime minister of Great Britain) as Knave of Clubs with a sequence of diamonds. The bag bulges with guineas and bank-notes. The amount (Te)n Thous(and)' can be seen. Behind is another bag inscribed '£100-000'.

Interpretation: the phrase "Pam and Flush, we are all Loo'd" is related to the card game Lanterloo (or Loo), which was popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. In this game, "Pam" refers to the Knave of Clubs, which is a permanent top trump. A "flush" is a hand of cards of the same suit, and the best flush includes the Pam card. The term "Loo'd" means that players have to pay into the pot, except those holding the Pam or a higher flush. So, the title humorously suggests that in the game, everyone except those with the best hands (Pam and Flush) ends up losing and having to pay. Thus the etching is a political satire on Pitt's heavy taxation.

Above: “Pam and flush. We are all loo'd” hand-coloured satirical etching by Robert Dighton, 1798. © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1868,0808.6691►

Reference

Wikipedia: Lanterloo►

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Robert Dighton (c.1752–1814) was an English portrait painter, printmaker, and caricaturist. Dighton's satirical caricatures included lawyers, military officers, actors and actresses, and even down-at-heel types. From time to time playing cards were included in his compositions. As an artist, he was first offered consistent employment by the publisher Carington Bowles • Wikipedia►

Above: December from The Twelve Months series, print made by Richard Earlom after Robert Dighton, published by Carington Bowles, c.1781. © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 2010,7081.403►

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Fear God

A gambler is seated by a circular table on which are cards, dice, and an empty moneybag; he puts his hand to his forehead with a distraught expression. On the wall behind his head hang two pistols and through a window is seen a body hanging from a gibbet.

© The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1935,0522.3.62►

A woman weeps dejectedly with cards and an empty purse on the ground at her feet. In both these details from illustrations titled “Keep within Compass and you shall be sure to avoid troubles which others endure”, playing cards are used as a metaphor for misfortune.

© The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1935,0522.3.63►

A medley with a sheet of music, a portrait and 3 playing cards

A medley with a sheet of music, a portrait, playing cards, title-pages and an initial letter drawn by Bernard Lens II, 1704. Medley paintings and prints were highly valued in the eighteenth century, admired as a virtuoso performance of printmaking and an advertisement of the printmaker's skill. They also contained underlying moral or political messages, sometimes satirical.

The items reproduced in this example include John Smith's mezzotint of William III, a leaf from “Pills to purge Melancholy”, an engraving of a gentleman kneeling before a lady, various other fragments of early printing and literary works and three playing cards. What does it mean?

Above: a Medley drawn by Bernard Lens II, 1704. © The Trustees of the British Museum • number 1991,U.1►

Ultimately, it would have been up to the viewer to interpret the medley in relation to their own experiences and concerns. In 18th-century art, playing cards often carried symbolic and metaphorical meanings that went beyond their use in games. They were used to represent themes of fate, chance and social hierarchy, or were used in political cartoons and satirical prints to critique and mock the ruling classes and political events.

For example, this Medley could convey a satirical message about the political and social dynamics of the time. The inclusion of William III suggests a political dimension, while the song from "Pills to purge Melancholy" suggests a critique of certain aspects of society. The engraving of a gentleman kneeling before a lady could add another layer of irony, such as political subservience or courtly flattery. And the playing cards might well represent the element of chance or (mis-)fortune in political affairs.

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