The King of Clubs represents a Greek King, Alexander the Great.

In the picture: “Alexander the Great and Roxana”, Pietro Antonio Rotari, 1756, the Hermitage Museum (Saint Petersburg, Russia).

The King of Clubs – Alexander the Great: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

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Alexander III of Macedon (20/21 July 356 – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great was a King of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He was tutored by the philosopher Aristotle until the age of 16. Alexander took the throne of the kingdom at the age of twenty, after his father Philip II was assassinated. By the age of thirty he had created one of the largest empires of the ancient world, stretching from Greece to Egypt and into northwest India. It was the result of military campaigns through Asia and northeast Africa.

The Queen of Clubs represents Eleanor of Aquitaine

In the picture: “Eleanor of Aquitaine” by Kinuko Y. Craft

The Queen of Clubs – Eleanor of Aquitaine: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

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Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122 or 1124 – 1 April 1204) was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western Europe during the High Middle Ages and a member of the Ramnulfid dynasty of rulers in southwestern France. She became Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right while she was still a child, then later Queen consort of France (1137–1152) and of England (1154–1189).

The Jack of Clubs represents the legendary Knight Sir Lancelot.

In the picture: “Sir Lancelot and Elaine”, Arthur A. Dixon, Illustration for Children’s Stories from Tennyson by Nora Chesson (Raphael Tuck, c 1905). [flipped picture!]

The Jack of Clubs – Knight Sir Lancelot: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

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Sir Lancelot du Lac was one of the Knights of the Round Table in the Arthurian legend. He firstly appears as a main character in Chrétien de Troyes’ Le Chevalier de la Charette (“Lancelot, the Knight of the Cart”), written in the 12th century. All in all, Lancelot’s life and adventures have been featured in several medieval romances. He most typically is depicted as King Arthur’s greatest champion. His love affair with Queen Guinevere (the Queen consort of King Arthur) brings the destruction of the Round Table and preceded Arthur’s eventual defeat at the battle of Camlann by Sir Mordred (Arthur’s illegitimate son by his half-sister Morgause).

Bona Fide Playing Cards tried to design aces representing its above mentioned vision of symbolic categories connected with suits.

The Ace of Spades: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

The Ace of Hearts: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

The Ace of Clubs: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

The Ace of Diamonds: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

Jokers represent court jesters, just like the original Jokers first introduced in the 19th century. They are added as an element of modern packs of Anglo-French playing cards.

Nouveau Playing Cards: Joker

Art Nouveau (“new art” in French) is something “younger” than Rouen design. It is considered a “total” art style, embracing architecture, graphic art, interior design, etc. Being inspired by natural forms and structures, it was most popular during 1890–1910. In accordance with Art Nouveau philosophy, art should be a way of life.

Back Design: Nouveau and Nouveau Turquoise Editions

 “As for the art style, we thought something of French inspiration was the  best idea as we are paying tribute to the original French deck. It was a hard decision, taking into account that France was always known as a place of artistic reference, so after some thought we chose to use a popular during the 19th century: Art Nouveau. For those who have followed our previous campaign, you probably remember that it was intended to be a Bicycle deck, so the choice of the Art Nouveau style was also related to the birth of the Bicycle brand. Art Nouveau is a style of decorative art, architecture and design promoted and popularized in Paris in the late 19th century and characterized by intricate linear designs and flowing curves based on natural forms.” ~ Bona Fide Playing Cards