The Six of Parrots, from the series of round playing cards
Master PW of Cologne German
Not on view
This work is part of the Round Card Game, a series consisting of seventy-two engraved sheets (seventy playing cards, with a title and back banner page). Believed to be the first western European set of round playing cards (a tradition popular in India), Master PW’s deck is unique in that it has five suits—roses, columbines, carnations, parrots, and hares—rather than the customary four. No impressions of these sheets were laid onto card, indicating they were never used. Master PW’s series, dating from the first decade of the sixteenth century, is believed to be the artist’s last engraved work.
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