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Published September 25, 2018 Updated June 19, 2022

Virginie Houdet

Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017.

2017 France Virginie Houdet Abstract Art & Design Designers Add to Collection

Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017

Virginie Houdet has created a delightful deck of playing cards with original designs based on the traditional canon. “Nourrie par les anciens, elle poursuit son aventure poétique dans le présent.” The logical order and symmetry of the deck has been respectfully and imaginatively reassembled with new colours and a poetic spirit. The primitive geometric designs derived from woodblocks are refreshed in an intelligent and aesthetic harmony.

Virginie Houdet’s seal

The Pip Cards

Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017

Above: every card is an original watercolor and ink drawing. The 40 pip cards are each differently coloured in a readily comprehensible format.

“Colours allow invisible emotions to express, enable things we can’t say to be seen.
‘Art does not reproduce the visible but makes it visible’ Klee said.”
- V.H.

The Court Cards

Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017

Above: the 12 double-ended court cards suggest personalities with underlying emotions and feelings, against a suit symbol in the background. As can be seen in the bottom row, the indices are bi-lingual: English at one end, French at the other end.

Decks come with 52 cards + 2 jokers + extra card in tuck box, a choice of 2 back designs, in a numbered limited edition of 250, available direct from the artist

Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017
Virginie Houdet “Cartes à Jouer” limited edition, 2017
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By Simon Wintle

Member since February 01, 1996

Founder and editor of the World of Playing Cards since 1996. He is a former committee member of the IPCS and was graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal for many years. He has lived at various times in Chile, England and Wales and is currently living in Extremadura, Spain. Simon's first limited edition pack of playing cards was a replica of a seventeenth century traditional English pack, which he produced from woodblocks and stencils.


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