Project Description

King of Hearts
by Ruth Wels (’12)

From the Artist. I find much inspiration in Italian culture and playing cards. The King of Hearts, also known as the King of Suicide holds a knife to his head on the original card.

Based on a poem and translated to Italian, the Queen of Spades gives the King of Hearts the due di picche (the two of spades). If you receive the due di picche it means the giver isn’t romantically interested in you.

The jokers (the inversion of the king) appear and torment the king in his weakest moment. The stars are symbolic of his destiny as the King of Hearts. The wind signifies change. Only the male nightingale without a partner sings at night, creating a sorrowful and representative cry.