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VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

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

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Nine of Cups
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A smiling madonna and child sit in front of a dark curtain. Nine cups sit on the ledge above them. A white dog, a magpie and bowl of cherries sit at her feet.

My Interpretation: Satisfaction of worldly desires. Good health and good fortune. Successful fulfillment of wishes. Joy, fun and merriment. Social gatherings, parties and entertainment. Meeting new people, making new friends. Possibility of excess - remember to temper your enthusiasm with moderation. (Reversed: This can indicate a drinking/drug problem, or some other destructive excess. It can also indicate arrogance. Friends may feel taken for granted if your popularity goes to your head).

Edit notes to self: Different to v1.0 card as I've added more symbolism to assist readers and made it more similar to the Rider-Waite card in design. I've used a Madonna and Child, as the deck wouldn't be complete without using the most common theme of artwork of the late Middle Ages and this card seems appropriate for the theme. I've also added a dog and a magpie to represent the social nature of this card (thanks, j!) and a bowl of cherries. Still to do - pretty happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. cca. 1290, Siena, d. 1348, Siena); Madonna of Vico l'Abate 1319 Tempera on wood, 148.5 x 78 cm Museo Arcivescovile, Florence.

Chequered Floor: Probably Paulo Uccello, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1397, Firenze, d. 1475, Firenze); Miracle of the Desecrated Host (Scene 1) 1465-69 Panel, 43 x 58 cm Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, Urbino.

White Dog: Gerard David, Flemish painter (b. 1460, Oudewater, d. 1523, Brugge); The Judgment of Cambyses (left panel) 1498 Oil on wood, 159 x 182 cm Groeninge Museum, Bruges.

Magpie: Benozzo Gozzoli, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1420, Firenze, d. 1497, Pistoia); Procession of the Magi, Procession of the Oldest King (moved section, backfill wall) 1459-60 Fresco Chapel, Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, Florence.

Bowl of Cherries: Master of Frankfurt, Unknown Flemish painter (active around 1500 in Antwerp); Portrait of the Artist and his Wife 1496 Oil on panel, 38 x 26 cm Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp.

Red and Gilt Fabric: Hugo van der Goes, Flemish painter (b. cca. 1440, Ghent, d. 1482, Bruxelles); Calvary Triptych 1465-68 Oil on wood, 250 x 216 cm Cathedral of St Bavo, Ghent.

Dark Curtains: Benozzo Gozzoli, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1420, Firenze, d. 1497, Pistoia); Death of St Monica (scene 13, south wall) 1464-65 Fresco, 220 x 230 cm Apsidal chapel, Sant'Agostino, San Gimignano.

Verdigris Background: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); Consecration of the Chapel 1317 Fresco, 330 x 700 cm Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi.

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.