Narcissus

Unknown artist

1620 - 1664

ets

Rijksmuseum

A cherubic figure reclines on clouds, leaning against a cartouche with text. Numerous small figures populate the sky above and around. Narcissus is here part of the so-called mythology game. It consisted of 52 playing cards, each marked with a heart, diamond, club, or spade. The pack was developed in 1644 for the then six-year-old Louis XIV. He had become King of France the previous year and Cardinal Mazarin intended them for the education and amusement of the young sovereign. This game was the first in a series of four: the other three treated geography, Famous Queens, and French Kings.