Fernando Valenti
Designs by Italian artist Fernando Valenti issued to coincide with an exhibition of his work in 1986.
Dramatic designs by Italian Expressionist artist Fernando Valenti (b.1931) issued to coincide with an exhibition of his work entitled “IL DEMONE DEL GIOCO SECONDO FERNANDO VALENTI” (which translates to “The Demon of the Game according to Fernando Valenti”). See the box►
Deep and disturbing are two adjectives which come to mind when looking at this pack. The courts appear to breaking out of cards behind them, whereas the figures on the Aces seem to be hiding behind their cards. The Jacks have a military flavour while the Kings have religious or business connotations. Overall, the designs are quite dark, veering towards the abstract. Little appears to be known about the artist or his other work. What is certain is that this pack was issued by an art gallery in Milan (IL CANNOCCHIALE) to coincide with an exhibition of Valenti’s work.
Above: playing cards featuring paintings by artist Fernando Valenti published by Dal Negro, Treviso, Italy, 1986. 52 cards + 2 Jokers + 2 extra cards in tuck box signed by the artist. Size: 63 x 88 mm.
• See the info card►
• Fernando Valenti is an artist originally from Traona, where he was born in 1931 more →
By Roddy Somerville
France • Member since May 31, 2022 • Contact
Roddy started collecting stamps on his 8th birthday. In 1977 he joined the newly formed playing-card department at Stanley Gibbons in London before setting up his own business in Edinburgh four years later. His collecting interests include playing cards, postcards, stamps (especially playing cards on stamps) and sugar wrappers. He is a Past President of the Scottish Philatelic Society, a former Chairman of the IPCS, a Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Makers of Playing Cards and Curator of the WCMPC’s collection of playing cards. He lives near Toulouse in France.
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