Fournier - Romance Español

10/17/2026

Fournier - Romance Español

INTRODUCTION & IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

Heraclio Fournier began producing French-suited playing cards in the late 19th century, initially relying on established patterns. In 1890, the firm introduced its first deck with original artwork, although its designs still showed clear influences from traditional models. It was not until 1951, with the pack examined here, that Fournier finally broke away from classical iconography, paving the way for a long series of original French-suited designs, many of which stand alongside the firm's finest Spanish-suited creations.

The model under examination is Romance Español, a 54-card French-suited pack featuring original artwork by Carlos Sáenz de Tejada, whose signature can be seen on the Jokers. It was issued on several occasions from 1951 onwards, with the 5th edition, dated 1969, being the latest for which we have documentary evidence.

Our copy appears to belong to the 4th edition, dated 1959, although the 4 of Clubs bears a tax stamp corresponding to the 1964–1968 period, suggesting that it may come from one of the later print runs of this edition. It comes in a chest-style cardboard case with a textured exterior, containing two identical packs.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE ARTIST

The illustrations are the work of Carlos Sáenz de Tejada (1897–1957). Hailing from Álava and deeply passionate about painting, he began his career as an illustrator for the magazines La Esfera and Nuevo Mundo. He later settled in Paris, where he contributed to publications such as Robe and Vogue, gaining popularity for his fashion illustrations of women's clothing. After returning to Spain, he gained recognition for his illustrations for Historia de una Cruzada, a work on the Spanish Civil War that earned him international acclaim as an illustrator. He held a professorship at the Academy of Fine Arts and also served as art director of Heraclio Fournier during his final years.

ICONOGRAPHY & DESIGN

The pack's aesthetic is largely defined by its court cards, portrayed as medieval fantasy characters. Delicate linework, pastel colors, and richly detailed ornamentation give the designs a distinctive elegance without appearing excessively elaborate. The overall effect is somewhat reminiscent of Alan Lee's illustrations for the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, or even those of Yoshitaka Amano for the early installments of the Final Fantasy video game series — both associated with worlds of high fantasy.

The Aces are finely adorned with floral motifs. The two identical Jokers, meanwhile, depict a slightly pot-bellied harlequin swinging on a trapeze, seen from below as if we were looking up from inside a circus tent. The composition is quite different from that of the court cards, yet retains the same aesthetic character. In my opinion, it is one of the most charming details of the pack.

Several sources suggest that each suit follows a specific theme: Spades ♠ represent war; Hearts ♥, poetry; Clubs ♣, music; and Diamonds ♦, hunting. However, I have been unable to determine whether these associations were deliberately established by the artist or are merely an interpretation that has been repeated in the literature.

I can identify elements associated with these themes in their respective suits, although not consistently enough to establish a clearly defined identity for each. For example, in Clubs, I find musical elements only on the Queen, while the Jack of Hearts holds an object that could be a conductor's baton. Similarly, the only element I can associate with hunting in Diamonds is the hooded hawk perched on the Jack's hand, suggesting that he may be depicted as a falconer, while the Queen of Spades holds a bird of prey of very similar appearance.

Perhaps I have overlooked some iconographic details that would help establish these associations more clearly, but for the time being, I prefer to maintain a degree of cautious skepticism.

Be that as it may, none of this detracts from Sáenz de Tejada's artwork, which is, quite simply, exquisite. To my mind, not every work of art needs to be interpreted or assigned a particular meaning. Sometimes, it is enough to lose ourselves in its aesthetics, composition, and execution — qualities this pack offers in spades.

PRINTING AND FINISHING

The set reflects the high standards typical of Fournier's premium packs, featuring flexible card stock with a smooth satin finish. The printing is equally impressive, with excellent contrast, precise color registration, crisp lines, and meticulously reproduced details throughout the illustrations.

The gilded corners add a further touch of distinction, while the chest-style cardboard case, with its textured exterior, completes the ensemble, lending it an elegant and understated presentation befitting an edition of this caliber.