Paul Cézanne works in Aix, Paris and in the forest of Fontainebleau.

The Card Players portrays a theme that Cézanne ultimately treats in five different versions.

Except for the card-player paintings, in which the sober dignity of the men is well expressed, there is no attempt in Cézanne's portraits to hint at the sitter's character.

In most cases he treats the background with the same care as the subject and often violently distorts facial color to bring it in harmony with the total composition.

Albert Aurier describes him as an important forerunner of Symbolism.