 | PM |  | | Quote | | | Reply | | | Full Topic | |
| Joined: | Thu Dec 31st, 2009 |
| Location: | Brighton, United Kingdom |
| Posts: | 28 |
| Status: |
Offline
|
The figure of the Hanged Man is lifted from a plate illustrating Arlequin Phaéton in Gherardi's Théâtre Italien, an image rich enough to yield material for at least five other trumps: the original also evokes the Knights through its depiction of the four horses that drew the chariot of the sun plunging down through the air.
The Knight of Discs is based upon a hooden horse, traditionally found in eastern Kent. In contrast to the tourney horses, where the Knight is at once horse and rider, this card shows both a Hoodener, working the head, and a Jockey, temporarily mounted upon him.
The Knight of Cups is based upon a tourney horse, of the kind once used in civic and church entertainments, plays and court masques, and still to be found performing alongside mummers and morris dancers. While a mast horse is a person in animal guise, this is a simulacrum of a mounted rider.
The Knight of Wands is based upon a mast horse of the skull and pole type, such as the Welsh Mari Lwyd. Its head is equipped with leather ears and bottlecap eyes, the jaws wired to snap together in an alarming manner.
The Knight of Swords is based upon the tourney horse depicted in the Betley Window (made somewhen between 1550-1621) now in the Victoria and Albert Museum. The rider's cheeks are indeed pierced with swords in the original; the object in the horse's mouth is a ladle, to collect money from onlookers.
*
Also, please note that I forgot to flip the Hanged Man before posting the image: the noose should be round his other foot.
Last edited on Fri May 17th, 2013 08:58 am by felissilvestris
| Close Window | |