Nueva Baraja Taurina Playing Cards
maker
Pedro Maldonado
(active Madrid, 19th century)
artist
Julio García
(active Madrid, 19th century)
printer
Imp. y Lit. de González
(active Madrid, 19th century)
subject
Luis Mazzantini
(Guipúzcoa, 1856 - 1926, Madrid)
Date1875-1885
Place MadeSpain, Europe
MediumPrinted ink on card stock
Dimensions9.5 x 6.2 cm (3 3/4 x 2 7/16 in.)
ClassificationsArchival Material
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberU11n64
eMuseum ID720314
EmbARK ObjectID13563
Previous NumberTEMP in F11n19 deck1
TMS Source ID2466
Last Updated1/9/25
Status
Not on viewWeb 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 The traditional Spanish-style suits have been replaced by the likenesses of famous 19th century matadors.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.
BibliographyNotesDeandra Duarte, “The Hand Isabella Dealt: A Selection of Playing Cards in the Collection,” Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 7 January 2025, www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/isabella-playing-cards-collection
ProvenanceNotesEntered Isabella Stewart Gardner's collection at an unknown date.
Rudolph E. Schirmer
late 19th century - early 20th century
