Johnny Depp's new art collection features an homage to his ex, Vanessa Paradis.
The collection is called Tarot, and features four art pieces representing major arcana cards — "The Lovers," "The Empress," "The Emperor," and "Strength." Tarot cards have long been a part of Depp's life, as he is a lover of the supernatural, a press release said.
The artwork called "The Empress" was inspired by Paradis, 51, the mother of Depp's children, Lily-Rose, 25, and Jack, 22. It was inspired by a painting by Depp, 61, that was used as the cover of Paradis' album, Divinidylle.
Of the tarnished crown worn by the woman in the image, Depp said, "It looks like a crown that has weathered storms. It shows a certain courage and strength of commitment.... the Crown has been through a lot; she still shines."
Though Depp and Paradis split in June 2012, the pair still have a good relationship, and remain "very close," per the press release. Paradis famously supported her ex during his defamation trial with ex Amber Heard, 38. "In all these years I have known Johnny he has never been physically abusive with me and this looks nothing like the man I lived with for 14 wonderful years," she wrote in a letter defending his character, as reported by People.
"Strength" also has ties to Paradis, as it was inspired by a large-scale painting Depp did when the pair were expecting their first child together. Depp chose to depict an elephant, because "They don't live with any sort of menace in their bones and protect their own to the bitter end." In a similar vein, the art features the question, "Why do you want to fight with something that doesn't want to fight with you?"
The collection, which is limited to 195 editions from Castle Fine Art, touches upon themes of parenthood, love, relationships, and career. Depp found inspiration in tarot, like many artists before him, including Salvador Dalí and Mexican painter Leonora Carrington. Reflecting on the fascination, Depp said, "I've always been tremendously curious about tarot... and there's a great art to the cards."
Tarot also features "The Lovers" and "The Emperor." The former represents "the beginning of the story," and features a man holding a rose and protecting the woman beside him. The latter comes from a work Depp created while filming Jeanne du Barry, and is a metaphor for "acting out roles."
The Pirates of the Caribbean star says it represents "ignorant power," and explains, "I certainly... wouldn't dare put my own face as an emperor. Never. I made 'The Emperor' somewhat faceless because if you put the Emperor next to the Empress who do you trust?... The Empress."
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