The Playing Card Art of Arthur Szyk
Cartoonist and manuscript illuminator Arthur Szyk (1894–1951) immigrated to the United States from his native Poland in 1940. Sometimes called a “soldier in art,” Szyk often used his artistic creations as a lance aimed at the oppressive regimes of the day, particularly Nazism. In the 1930s, he created a set of playing cards using historical biblical figures for the twelve Kings, Queens, and Jacks of different suits. Each idealized portrait of a biblical character has his or her Hebrew name incorporated into their clothing and a symbolic element alluding to his or her story. As King of Clubs, David clasps a lyre. As Queen of Diamonds, Deborah the prophetess and judge, holds balanced scales of justice. These playing cards are commercially available for the first time.
Cartoonist and manuscript illuminator Arthur Szyk (1894–1951) immigrated to the United States from his native Poland in 1940. Sometimes called a “soldier in art,” Szyk often used his artistic creations as a lance aimed at the oppressive regimes of the day, particularly Nazism. In the 1930s, he created a set of playing cards using historical biblical figures for the twelve Kings, Queens, and Jacks of different suits. Each idealized portrait of a biblical character has his or her Hebrew name incorporated into their clothing and a symbolic element alluding to his or her story. As King of Clubs, David clasps a lyre. As Queen of Diamonds, Deborah the prophetess and judge, holds balanced scales of justice. These playing cards are commercially available for the first time.