Wednesday 26 October 2016

Subtle differences

Daily Draw, The Golden Tarot, The Visconti Sforza Deck

This fellow looks so young and cherub like to be real King. For comparison I had a look at the other kings in the deck. All young blond and cherub like, all on the same gold throne. At first sight...for some reason they bring to mind ancient medical theory of the four humors. 


Of all the kings HRH Swords head tilted down looks older, sadder, wiser, his eyes are sunken and his face more pinched - perhaps the result of too much emphasis on the life of the mind (melancholic - analytical, quiet, despondent). King Coins is the only one who smiles with his mouth open, a flushed and corpulent bon vivant - his jolly expression contrasts with the vice like grip he has on his coin (sanguine now but threaten his wealth and he could turn choleric)

HRH Cups is the only king who appears in profile. Like the King of Swords he has one foot off the plinth - perhaps the throne is not for him, perhaps he has no desire to 'win'. A peaceful person he offers rather than clings to his chalice (phlegmatic). The only King who looks truly calm and comfortable positioned on the throne is the King of Staves (perhaps all his humours are in balance). 








6 comments:

  1. Just like with real people: you have to put in time and effort to really get to know them

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    1. That is true and food for thought for me.

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  2. King of coins Will give you the sock off his leg though...

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    1. Looks like has one to spare. Who dressed him?

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  3. They do look young! It made me think of the pictures of presidents when they first come into office (so full of enthusiasm and inspiration, like these young fellows), and the later pictures which show how much they've aged because of the heavy load they bear.

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    1. Yes senior politicians age rapidly in office. If trump gets in and ages prematurely I won't worry too much about that. Or perhaps we should?

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