The Six of Parrots, from the series of round playing cards

Master PW of Cologne

ca. 1500 · Engraving · Drawings and Prints

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.

Artist

Master PW of Cologne

Date

ca. 1500

Medium

Engraving

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

The Elisha Whittlesey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2018