sitemap

VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

Temporary, for editorial feedback only - please do not bookmark or download

+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+
IV - the Emperor
+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+.+

Caesar sits on his throne. He is flanked by a lion, and a black eagle sits on the window sill. He holds an orb and a small sceptre, topped by a fleur de lis.

My Interpretation: There can be no winners without losers. Patriarchal authority. Power, masculine strength. Great motivation to achieve success. Competiveness, and the desire for victory and conquest. (Reversed: Tendancy to enjoy the failure of others, and a lack of ability to collaborate and co-operate toward a common goal. This is the card of a real go-getter, but perhaps one who does not mind leaving a battlefield strewn with bodies for the sake of a conquest)

Edit notes to self: The composition of this card is similar to the Rider-Waite card - Emperor, sceptre, orb, mountains - although I've used a traditional hawk and lion instead of a ram (as the RW deck uses) and have avoided the crown. I think the fact that it's obviously a Roman Emperor is less confusing than something that *could* be a King. Still to do - pretty happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); Saint Martin Renounces his Weapons 1312-17 Fresco, 265 x 230 cm Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi.

Roof, Wall: Giotto di Bondone, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1267, Vespignano, d. 1337, Firenze); Scenes from the Life of Christ: Washing of Feet 1304-06 Fresco, 200 x 185 cm Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua.

Floor: Fra Filippo Lippi, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1406, Firenze, d. 1469, Spoleto); The Annunciation c.1449-55 Egg Tempera on Wood 68.5 x 152 cm National Gallery, London.

Window: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze); Announcement of Death to St Fina 1473-75 Fresco Colleggiata, San Gimignano .

Black Cape and Throne: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); The Annunciation and Two Saints 1333 Tempera on Wood, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

Black Eagle: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze); St John the Evangelist 1486-90 Fresco Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence.

Lion: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze); St Mark the Evangelist 1486-90 Fresco Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence.

Wooden Lion on Throne Arm: Robert Campin, Master of Flémalle, Flemish painter (b. cca. 1375, Valenciennes, d. 1444, Tournai); The Virgin and Child before a Firescreen 1430 Oil on wood, 63 x 49 cm National Gallery, London.

Fleur de Lis on Sceptre: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); Altar of St Louis of Toulouse c. 1317 Tempera on wood, 200 x 138 cm Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte, Naples.

Parchment Text Panel: Unknown Illuminators, England; The Aberdeen Bestiary (Aberdeen University Library MS 24), written and illuminated around 1200. Aberdeen University, Scotland.

Gilt Border: Conrad Witz, Swiss painter (b. cca 1400, Rottweil, d. cca. 1445, Basel); King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba 1435 Panel, 84 x 79 cm Staatliche Museen, Berlin.