Playing Cards

15th century

Italian 15th Century

Associated Names
Italian 15th Century

Artist

This print shows a set of playing cards in three rows of eight. The top row consists of cards with a geometric pattern resembling curving ribbons or knots with sword-like handles on each end. The cards in the middle row contain a series of circular shapes, and those in the bottom row consist of crossed lines resembling rods or batons bound together in clusters. Each card has a different number of the different objects, ranging from two to nine. The paper of the print shows signs of aging, such as wear and discoloration on its off-white surface.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    woodcut on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 29.1 × 43.6 cm (11 7/16 × 17 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1951.16.5

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Martin Breslauer, London); purchased 1951 by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1932d); gift to NGA, 1951.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1984

  • Tarot, Jeu et Magie, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris, 1984-1985, no. 27.

1987

  • I Tarocchi: le carte di corte: gioco e magia alla corte degli estensi, Castello Estense, Ferrara, 1987-1988, no. 17.

Bibliography

1987

  • Berti, Girodano and Vitali, Andrea. I tarocchi. Amministrazione Provinciale di Ferrara, 1987, no.17.

Wikidata ID

Q65218403

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