Who painted Playing Card?

Playing Card was painted by German 15th Century in 1470.

Where can I see Playing Card?

Playing Card is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Playing Card?

Playing Card is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Playing Card

German 15th Century , 1470

Playing Card is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1470 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a woodcut print depicting a set of playing‑card symbols—hearts, clubs and spades—arranged in a loose, sketch‑like composition.

About this work

Overview

The work is a woodcut print depicting a set of playing‑card symbols—hearts, clubs and spades—arranged in a loose, sketch‑like composition. The image appears on a light‑colored, aged paper that shows brown staining, wear and small tears along its edges, giving the piece a visibly antiquated character.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on the three suit symbols traditionally used in card games, rendered in a simplified, almost naïve manner. By isolating these icons from any narrative context, the print emphasizes the graphic qualities of the symbols themselves, inviting contemplation of their visual form rather than a specific story.

Technique & Style

Created by carving the design into a wood block, the artist applied black ink to the raised surfaces and transferred the image onto paper by pressing. The resulting lines are uneven and rough, reflecting the hand‑cut nature of the medium. The limited monochrome palette heightens the contrast between the dark inked shapes and the pale, textured substrate.

History & Provenance

The paper’s discoloration, stains and edge tears suggest considerable age and handling, indicating that the print has been in circulation or collection for an extended period. No specific artist or date is recorded, but the use of traditional woodcut methods aligns it with historic printmaking practices.