Artwork
The Jack of Parrots
The Jack of Parrots is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Master PW of Cologne. It dates from 1500 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Jack of Parrots is an engraving on laid paper created by Master PW of Cologne around 1500.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a shirtless man riding the Jack of Hearts playing card, armed with a bow and sunburst shield, and accompanied by a parrot on his shoulder. The juxtaposition of the calm parrot with the dynamic scene may be a narrative device, characteristic of Renaissance artists' use of unexpected combinations to convey meaning.
Technique & Style
The work is executed in engraving, a technique that involves carving a design into a metal plate. The resulting black-and-white image features the Jack of Hearts card with curling corners, likened to a horse's mane, and the rider's dangling legs, showcasing the artist's skill in rendering texture and movement.
Artist & collection
