The classic forty italian playing cards interpreted by Mario Eremita
The forty italian playing cards, have inspired great artists because they are rich of mystery and history and they are rooted in the tradition of civilizations. They were imported from the East and their first intepreter was Andrea Mantegna. That first edition was published by venetian typographies.
Mario Eremita interpreted in four versions the playing card suits, fascinated by those which are on all the gaming tables. These are four collections of forty original drawings, three in india ink and one in color. All four works are unpublished.
He therefore imagined ancestral characters, dreams frequenters, suits bearers that are transformed into spectacular artworks.
Collection 1974a india ink
It is the first collection of the forty playing cards interpreted by Mario Eremita. It is from 1974 and is made by india ink on paper. You can appreciate the refine stroke and the powerful imagination that reworked the suits looking at these two samples taken from the collection, the seven of coins and the and the horse of clubs.
Collection 1978b mixed technique
It is the second collection of the forty plyaing cards interpreted by Mario Eremita. It is from 1978 and is made by mixed techinque on paper oil colors. Here there are two samples from the collection, the three of swords and the seven of cups. You can appreciate the delicate use of colors with the nuances the graphic drapery and the brand new imagination that revisited the classic iconography.
Collection 1984c india ink
Here is the third collection of the forty playing cards interpreted by Mario Eremita. It is from 1984 and is made by india ink on paper. Here two samples by the collection, the king of coins and the jack of cups. These two give the idea of the style, already different from the previous one of 1974 due to the stroke speed. The classical inconography is completely abandoned.
Collection 2000d india ink
The fourth collection of the forty italian playing cards intepreted by Mario Eremita closes the series. It is from 2000 and it is made by india ink on paper. Here two samples from the collection, the king of cups and the ace of cups. These two gives the idea of the style really different from the 1984 one. Here there is a more refined formal need and the addition of the frame. The classic iconography is partially recovered.
