Le Chateau de carte (The House of Cards)
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Le Chateau de carte (The House of Cards) is a 1737 ink by Pierre Filloeul, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a young person sitting on a table, leaning on one arm while holding a small house made of cards. Behind them, a messy desk has books, papers, and a lamp casting light. The person wears a wide-brimmed hat and looks thoughtful, with one hand resting on their chin. The title *Le Chateau de Carte* hints this card house might symbolize something fragile—maybe youth or plans. The artist used sharp lines to show light and shadow, making the scene feel dramatic. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Filloeul created these detailed prints.