Queen of Hearts (red), from the Playing Cards series (N84) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This is a playing card, "Queen of Hearts (red)," one of a series of cards made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The artwork has an immediate visual impact through its formal and highly structured composition. The Queen of Hearts is presented with a rigid symmetry, divided into halves, which creates an order, but simultaneously disrupts notions of fixed meaning. Notice how the design uses bold colors and geometric patterns to draw the eye in multiple directions across the card. The structured design suggests ideas around the constructed nature of identity and value. The repeated motifs and symmetry create a world where meaning is both ordered and unstable, prompting us to think about how values and categories are created. The card remains a potent symbol, inviting endless readings.