The Card Players

after Paul CÉZANNE (1839-1906)

Les Joueurs de Cartes (original French title)

Aquatint and etching printed in color on Arches wove paper.
Reference: Ginestet & Pouillon E 662.
Edition of 200, published by Bernheim-Jeune, Paris (with a dry stamp that could be theirs).

In our opinion, Villon outdid himself with this print and rendered Paul Cézanne’s famous composition with attractive textured detail.  The painting, which was so famous, yet seen by so few, was rendered by Villon with his own imprimatur.  He crops to composition a bit, changes some colors, adds a hat…  But mostly, he gives the viewer the opportunity to live with a work of art they would otherwise never get to experience, or only very fleetingly.  Villon’s etching technique shines in this bright composition.

Signed, annotated “d’après Cezanne”, and numbered in pencil.

Wide, possibly full margins.  A very fine impression in nearly perfect condition, aside from some surface soiling, only noticeable in the margins, and completely unobtrusive.  Finding this large print in good condition these days has become unusual.