For the Fallen - Center panel: The House of Cards 1956

“The House of Cards”, a central panel from Mordecai Ardon’s 1956 work “For the Fallen,” depicts a surreal, dreamlike scene with an ominous undertone. The composition is dominated by a dark background, scattered with playing cards, strange geometric structures, and golden shapes reminiscent of scattered debris. Ardon’s use of bold colors, textured brushstrokes, and layering techniques create a sense of both fragility and impending chaos, mirroring the themes of loss and uncertainty prevalent in the larger “For the Fallen” series.