Who painted Playing Cards?

Playing Cards was painted by Italian 15th Century in 1470.

Where can I see Playing Cards?

Playing Cards is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Playing Cards?

Playing Cards is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Playing Cards

Italian 15th Century , 1470

Playing Cards is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 15th Century. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Playing Cards is a woodcut print composed of three panels, each depicting a man on horseback adorned in Renaissance attire, holding various objects such as a shield and a goblet, with their mounts elaborately saddled and bridled, set against a plain background to accentuate detail.

Subject & Meaning

The subject matter focuses on elegantly dressed men on decorated horses, suggesting themes of nobility or chivalry, though the specific meaning or narrative behind the objects (shield, goblet) they hold is not immediately clear without contextual information.

Technique & Style

Executed in woodcut, the print exhibits a characteristic rough, textured appearance, with visible tool marks underscoring the medium's tactile nature. Despite this, the technique achieves remarkable detail in the intricate designs of the costumes and horse accoutrements.

History & Provenance

No specific historical or provenance details are provided for 'Playing Cards', leaving its date, artist, and ownership history unspecified.

Context

The Renaissance-style clothing and the woodcut medium situate the work within a broader European artistic tradition, potentially from the 15th to 17th centuries, when woodcuts were common for mass-producing images.