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Eight of clubs
Pen and ink on card, 9.2 x 6.5 cm, anonymous, after 1867
State Library of Victoria, Australia


A traditional nine of clubs playing card features a silhouette depicting Napoleon, using the suit symbols as part of the image. One club forms the head and another the torso of Napoleon, standing on a shoreline and gazing at the horizon. His bicorne hat, uniform, and posture evoke familiar depictions of his exile, possibly on Saint Helena. The sketch-like background, with the sea, a distant ship, and uneven ground, adds depth, while the surrounding clubs contribute to a sense of isolation. The design balances the structure of a playing card with elements of political satire.