The Four Worlds
The Four Worlds playing cards by artist Aleksey Zhiryakov in the stylistic traditions of Palekh, 2018.
The Four Worlds playing cards by artist Aleksey Zhiryakov in the stylistic traditions of Palekh, with bright colors painted over a black background. This is a joint project by the Russian Playing Card Society and Jokercards , 2018. The suit of clubs are Water World; diamonds are the World of Nature; hearts are Sky World and spades are Mountain World.
Above: The Four Worlds playing cards by artist Aleksey Zhiryakov, 2018. 52 cards, 2 jokers and one extra card in box. Printed on Linen Finish art paper, 300 gsm.
By Simon Wintle
Member since February 01, 1996
I am the founder of The World of Playing Cards (est. 1996), a website dedicated to the history, artistry and cultural significance of playing cards and tarot. Over the years I have researched various areas of the subject, acquired and traded collections and contributed as a committee member of the IPCS and graphics editor of The Playing-Card journal. Having lived in Chile, England, Wales, and now Spain, these experiences have shaped my work and passion for playing cards. Amongst my achievements is producing a limited-edition replica of a 17th-century English pack using woodblocks and stencils—a labour of love. Today, the World of Playing Cards is a global collaborative project, with my son Adam serving as the technical driving force behind its development. His innovative efforts have helped shape the site into the thriving hub it is today. You are warmly invited to become a contributor and share your enthusiasm.
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