Who painted The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2)?

The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2) was painted by Master of the E-Series Tarocchi in 1467.

Where can I see The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2)?

The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2)?

The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2) is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2)

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi , 1467

The Servant (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #2) is a print by the Renaissance artist Master of the E-Series Tarocchi. It dates from 1467 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This early‑15th‑century engraving belongs to the so‑called “E” group of the Tarocchi series, titled Conditions of Man.

About this work

Overview

This early‑15th‑century engraving belongs to the so‑called “E” group of the Tarocchi series, titled Conditions of Man. The set presents ten figures arranged in ascending order of social rank, from a beggar to the pope. The present plate depicts the figure known as the Servant, positioned as the second step in the hierarchy.

Subject & Meaning

The Servant is rendered as a full‑length male standing in left profile, his posture dignified despite his modest station. He holds a vessel in one hand and a piece of cloth in the other, symbols that allude to his role in serving and providing for higher‑status individuals.

Technique & Style

Executed as a copper engraving, the image displays the fine line work characteristic of the Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi. The figure is clothed in elegant attire, complete with a hat, and rendered with careful attention to the folds of the fabric and the reflective quality of the metal plate.

History & Provenance

The plate was produced in Italy during the 1400s by the anonymous artist known as the Master of the E‑Series Tarocchi. The work circulated as part of a printed series that functioned both as a didactic tool and a visual representation of contemporary social order.

Context

The Tarocchi series reflects the hierarchical worldview of late medieval Italy, where each social class was assigned a specific visual iconography. By arranging the figures from the lowest to the highest rank, the series offers insight into the period’s perception of status, duty, and the moral order.