Narcissus, Stefano della Bella, 1620 - 1664
etching, h 88mm × w 55mm More details
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.
