The Doge (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #7)

1467

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Dominant colour

The Doge (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #7) is a 1467 by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi, a Renaissance work, depicting Ferrara, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Master of the E-Series Tarocchi
When & what style?: 1467 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see a tall man in a long, pointed hat and heavy cloak, standing sideways like a playing-card king. This is a Doge—Venice’s elected ruler—carved into a tiny metal plate around 1465. The print was part of a deck that showed every rank in society, from beggar to pope. Each figure is stripped down to a few lines, yet the hat and cloak still shout “boss.” If you like these sharp little portraits, look up the subject italy, ferrara, 15th century.

The story of this work

Overview

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “E,” and named Conditions of Man . This series outlines the social and hierarchical order of ten characters (Beggar, Servant, Artisan, Merchant, Gentleman, Knight, Doge King, Emperor, and Pope), starting from the lower grade and ending with the most important one. Here, Doxe (The Doge) is shown as a full-length male figure, turned to the left. Clasped in a long cloak, the Doge wears his distinctive pointed hat, called zoggia .

Did you know?

The Doge was the titular head of government in Venice, and corresponded to the duke or the marquis in other parts of Italy. The Doge represented the potentate closest in power and position to a king. In the Tarocchi set the Doge is placed below the engraving displaying the King.

Read the full account in the museum source.