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VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

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

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King of Cups
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A bearded King stands on the seashore, gesturing toward a large cup. He holds an arrow and looks into the distance, where the people on one ship point to another one sailing off in the distance. A small crab creeps up the rocks.

My Interpretation: A warm, loving man who will give good counsel. Intuitive, creative and gentle. This man does not need to portray a macho image as he is totally comfortable with both his masculine and feminine sides. He is enigmatic, with subtle strength - a quiet achiever. Spiritual satisfaction is more important to him than material success. He may also be a mediator, or a benevolent leader. This card represents the zodiac sign of Cancer. (Reversed: A man with great hidden sadness. He keeps his emotions within, which leads to self-destructive tendancies)

Edit notes to self: Different to v1.0 card as I've added more symbolism to assist readers. This card is now more similar to the Rider-Waite card, hopefully easily recognisable as both King and Cup are fairly obvious. Still to do: quite happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Unknown Master, France. Wilton Diptych: Richard II of England with his Patron Saints 1395 Tempera on oak panel, 36.8 x 26.7 cm National Gallery, London.

Smaller Ship and Fish: Fra Angelico, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. cca. 1400, Vicchio nell Mugello, d. 1455, Roma); Story of St Nicholas: St Nicholas Saves the Ship 1437 Tempera on wood, 34 x 60 cm (whole picture) Pinacoteca, Vatican.

Larger Ship: Giovanni da Modena, Italian painter, Bolognese school (active 1409-1456 in Bologna); The Return of the Magi c. 1410 Fresco Basilica di S. Petronio, Bologna.

Armoured Feet: Andrea Del Castagno, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1423, Castagno, d. 1457, Firenze) Famous Persons: Niccolò Acciaiuoli c. 1450 Fresco transferred to wood, 250 x 154 cm Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence.

Crab: Limbourg Brothers (Herman, Jean, Paul), Flemish painters (b. 1370-80, Nijmegen, d. 1416, Nijmegen); Les très riches heures du Duc de Berry: Juillet (July) 1412-16 Illumination on vellum, 22.5 x 13.6 cm Musée Condé, Chantilly.

Sea: Dieric Bouts the Younger, Flemish painter (b. cca. 1448, Leuven, d. 1491, Leuven); The Pearl of Brabant - Saint Christopher c. 1470 Oil on wood, 61 x 113 cm Alte Pinakothek, Munich.

Verdigris Background: Francesco Del Cossa, Italian painter, Ferrarese school (b. cca. 1435, Ferrara, d. 1477, Bologna); Allegory of March: Triumph of Minerva Fresco 500 x 320 cm Palazzo Schifanoia, Ferrara.

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.