Johnny Depp speaks in new video unveiling personal hidden symbolism in his art | Films | Entertainment

Aside from acting and music, Johnny Depp is also an accomplished artist and unveils four new pieces today.

The limited edition prints represent what the Hollywood star considers to be his four Tarot cards: The Lovers, The Empress, The Emperor and Strength.

The 61-year-old’s life, dreams and subconscious mind inspired the four artworks, as did a former lover who he remains “very close” to.

Check out the meaning behind each piece below and in Depp’s own words in the accompanying video, plus how to purchase one for yourself.

The announcement shared: “The Lovers is ‘the beginning of the story’ and conjures depictions of kindred spirits, with fluid colours reflecting a balance between masculine and feminine, conscious and subconscious. The cinematic scene, which evokes Hollywood glamour, allows for numerous readings. Depp himself has said that the male figure who holds the rose is warding off danger and ‘protecting’ the female. The work evokes an equilibrium beyond purely romantic love. Swept into the hazy composition are themes of harmony, choice and commitment.

“Although an eyeless and mysterious figure, The Emperor is authoritative and powerful but ‘not necessarily to be trusted’. The character, styled as a 17th-century French Monarch, was inspired by a work Depp created while filming Jeanne du Barry in Versailles. A metaphor for acting out roles, Depp says of The Emperor, ‘He’s not really there’, and seems to stand for the many guises that we all wear. The Emperor invites you to look beneath the cloak of power and authority for the true sources of strength. Depp says ‘it kind of represents ignorant power. 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.’”

The announcement added: “The Empress pays tribute to Vanessa Paradis, the mother of Depp’s two children, and takes inspiration from a painting he did that was used for the cover of Paradis’ studio album Divinidylle. Of the tarnished crown adorned by The Empress, Depp says, ‘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.’  Through this artwork, Depp has paid tribute to Paradis, with whom he has remained ‘very close’. Seated in a stoic pose, she appears as the artist has described her, ‘I know who she is inside. She’s magnificent. She’s pragmatic. She’s practical.’

“Strength is inspired by a large-scale painting Depp created when expecting the birth of his first child with Vanessa Paradis. The philosophical question ‘Why do you want to fight with something that doesn’t want to fight with you?’ is etched into the surface as if spoken by the majestic elephant that gazes at the viewer. The elephant is important to Depp, who says, ‘They don’t live with any sort of menace in their bone and protective their own to the bitter end.’ The maternal instincts Depp saw in Paradis made him explore ideas of inner strength when painting the original elephant, stating that ‘a veil was lifted’ when he became a parent for the first time.”

Johnny Depp’s Tarot artworks will go on sale from 2pm BST on July 18 2024, exclusively at www.castlefineart.com and their nationwide UK galleries.