Artwork
The Small Playing Cards: Second Suit: Helmets: Playing Card with King and Helmet
The Small Playing Cards: Second Suit: Helmets: Playing Card with King and Helmet is a print by the Renaissance artist Master E.S.. It dates from 1458 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1458 by Master ES, a prolific yet unidentified German artist, *The Small Playing Cards: Second Suit: Helmets: Playing Card with King and Helmet* is a finely detailed engraving from a series of small playing card prints, characteristic of the late Gothic period.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving features a crowned king in profile, adorned in a leaf and flower-adorned crown, robe, and holding a scepter, alongside a helmet and a mysterious small figure in the corner, collectively conveying regal or noble themes with an air of intrigue.
Technique & Style
The work showcases Master ES's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the king's attire and the helmet's design, reflecting early influences of the Renaissance within the late Gothic style, a hallmark of the artist's transitional period contributions.
History & Provenance
Master ES, active from circa 1450 to 1467, was a pioneering German printmaker, engraver, and goldsmith, notable for signing many works with his 'E.S.' monogram, though the specific provenance of this piece is not detailed here.
Context
As part of *The Small Playing Cards* series, this engraving represents an early example of German old master prints, catering to the growing demand for illustrated playing cards among the emerging middle class in 15th-century Europe.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of this piece are not provided, Master ES's overall body of work significantly impacted the development of German printmaking, bridging late Gothic traditions with emerging Renaissance influences.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master E. S. (c. 1420 – c. 1468; previously known as the Master of 1466) is an unidentified German engraver, goldsmith, and printmaker of the late Gothic period. He was the first major German artist of old master prints…
