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Simone Martini -
Christ Returning to his Parents (1342)

VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

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

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Four of Cups
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A boy sits sulkily with his arms crossed as an angel offers him a cup of wine. Another three cups sit on the ground beside him, but he shows no interest in any of them. A flock of sheep sleep at his feet, and a dog looks warily up at the angel. A donkey stands stubbornly nearby.

My Interpretation: The grass is always greener. This card warns against taking what you've got for granted. There is the tendancy to yearn after that which is forbidden or unattainable, but you have so much to be thankful for in your life already. Is it really worth risking what you've got for that which may lose appeal when obtained anyway? (Reversed: Fear of boredom may result in a rash decision - take care to consider all consequences before taking action)

Edit notes to self: Different to v1.0 card as I've added more symbolism to assist readers and made it far more similar to the Rider-Waite card. The donkey indicates stubborness, and the snarling dog, wariness. This boy is from one of my favourite pictures of the era - I've always called it "Sulky Jesus" - looks like even Christ went through being a painful and unco-operative teenager - see original below :^) Still to do - quite happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); Christ Returning to his Parents 1342 Tempera on wood, 49.5 x 35 cm Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.

Background: Taddeo Gaddi, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1300, Firenze, d. 1366, Firenze); The Angelic Announcement to the Sheperds 1327-30 Fresco Cappella Baroncelli, Santa Croce, Florence.

Donkey: Unknown German Master, (active 1470-80 in Mainfranken); Adoration of the Shepherds 1470-80 Wood Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg.

Cup: Master of the Housebook, German engraver/painter (active 1475-90); The Last Supper late 1400s Wood, Staatliche Museen, Berlin.

Cup Gilt Texture: 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.

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.