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VERSION 2.0 IN PROGRESS

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

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Queen of Swords
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A Queen holds a sword aloft in a ceremonial manner. She is as pale, solid and immovable as the fine marble palace in which she stands. In the distance is a more gentle-looking landscape with a beautiful city. A butterfly floats above her.

My Interpretation: A strong, independent woman. A logical, calculating woman. Determined and ruthless in pursuit of her goals. She knows what she wants, and will do whatever is necessary to get it. Goal-oriented. Perceptive, intelligent and extremely quick-witted. Perhaps a woman with private griefs, a widow, one who has suffered losses. This card represents the zodiac sign of Virgo. (Reversed: Bitterness and hatred may develop from grief. Jealousy. Inflexibility).

Edit notes to self: Different to v1.0 card as I've added more symbolism to assist readers. This card is different to the Rider-Waite card, although hopefully still easily recognisable as the Queen and the Sword are fairly obvious. I have made her a pale, yet strong figure. Still to do - quite happy with it.

Sources:

Base Pic: Simone Martini, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. 1280/85, Siena, d. 1344, Avignon); St Clare and St Elizabeth of Hungary 1317 Fresco, 215 x 185 cm Cappella di San Martino, Lower Church, San Francesco, Assisi.

Crown: 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.

Throne: Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Italian painter, Sienese school (b. cca. 1290, Siena, d. 1348, Siena); Annunciation 1344 Tempera on wood, 127 x 120 cm Pinacoteca Nazionale, Siena.

Columns and Background Landscape: Domenico Ghirlandaio, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1449, Firenze, d. 1494, Firenze) ; Portrait of the Donor Francesca Pitti-Tornabuoni 1486-90 Fresco Cappella Tornabuoni, Santa Maria Novella, Florence.

Sky: Antonello da Messina, Italian painter, Southern Italian school (b. cca. 1430, Messina, d 1479, Messina); St Sebastian 1476-77 Oil on canvas transferred from panel, 171 x 85.5 cm Gemäldegalerie, Dresden.

Cloud Bank on Horizon: Paulo Uccello, Italian painter, Florentine school (b. 1397, Firenze, d. 1475, Firenze); St. George and the Dragon c. 1456 Oil on canvas, 57 x 73 cm National Gallery, London.

Butterfly: Pisanello, Italian painter (b. 1395, Pisa, d. 1455, Roma); Portrait of a Princess of the House of Este 1436-38 Tempera on wood, 43 x 30 cm Musée du Louvre, Paris.

Sword: Hans Memling, Flemish painter (b. cca.1440, Seligenstadt, d. 1494, Bruges); The Archangel Michael c. 1479 Oil on wood, 37 x 16 cm Wallace Collection, London.

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.