Playing Cards

Italian 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

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.