Queen of Heart 2019

Michael Cheval's surreal painting 'Queen of Heart' presents us with a striking figure adorned with playing card motifs. Here, the Queen of Hearts is not merely a character, but a symbol, deeply embedded in the cultural psyche. Playing cards, originally tools for aristocratic leisure, evolved into potent symbols of fate and chance. The Queen, historically a figure of power and emotional depth, is here almost literally wearing her heart on her sleeve. The card nestled close to her chest evokes hidden affections, as the gesture, charged with a subtle eroticism, hints at vulnerabilities beneath regal composure. This archetypal image of the Queen of Hearts connects us to the Renaissance allegories of love and fortune. The symbolism of the Queen reappears through the ages, evolving in meaning, yet always retaining an aura of complex emotional power. The Queen’s enduring presence in modern culture, such as in Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland', demonstrates how cultural symbols are cyclical, resurfacing and adapting, carrying the emotional echoes of past eras.