Pedro Maldonado
Nueva Baraja Taurina Playing Cards, 1875-1885
Printed ink on card stock, 9.5 x 6.2 cm (3 3/4 x 2 7/16 in.)
The backs of these Spanish playing cards are white with overlapping straight and wavy, thin, red horizontal lines. Each of the cards is numbered in the upper left corner and in the bottom right corner. Each card is highly decorated with images related to bull fighting. Some cards picture a matador in full costume, called Traje de luces, or suit of light, other cards show several heads and faces of matadors each wearing the black fur hat, called a Montera. Others show matadors wearing the straw hats typical of the older tradition. Many of these cards also include names below or next to each matadors head. Yet other cards have ornate coins or medals that may represent prizes while others have swords or daggers.
Macknight Room
Commentary
The Nueva Baraja Taurina, or New Bullfighting Deck, was designed in Madrid by Pedro Maldonado to celebrate Spain’s beloved matadors. The traditional Spanish-style suits have been replaced by the likenesses of famous 19th century matadors.
Isabella likely picked up this deck as a souvenir after the bullfight she attended in Seville, Spain in 1888. Famed matador Luis Mazzantini, depicted on the Two of Swords, killed a bull in Isabella’s honor during that fight. She was horrified by the killing.