This information from page of Bob Lancaster: http://members.aol.com/RSLancastr/blgupc/blgupc.htm
                                                       "Le Florentin"
In 1955, French playing card publisher Editions Philibert produced what was to become regarded by many as one of the most beautiful decks of playing cards ever designed.

Artist Paul-Emile Becat took four years to design and create the memorable images in the deck, which was produced in a limited edition of 12,000 decks.

An article about the deck was published in the Spring, 1962 edition of Eros magazine, with the following information about Becat's inspiration for the images:

"For many of his illustrations Becat drew upon a set of paintings by Renaissance masters which the monk Savonrola had destroyed in 1496 because they revealed too much of the intrigue and sordidness of Borgia family life. Savonrola was greatly beholden to the Borgias. Detailed descriptions of these paintings had been preserved, however, and it was from them that Becat was able to paint a number of his miniatures. The balance of his pictures he based on other Florentine themes."

Below is a list of the illustrated cards from the deck, and the names Becat gave them:

Hearts
Ace	The Allegory of Love
King	King Francis I
Queen	The Lady and the Rose
Jack	Lovers of Verona
Clubs
Ace	The Allegory of Gold
King	Duke Leonardo, Patron of the Arts
Queen	Her Majesty Encourages the Arts
Jack	Leonardo da Vinci and One of the Beauties He Immortalized
Diamonds
Ace	The Adventuresses
King	Allegory of the Soldiers
Queen	"La Belle Ferroniere," Favorite of Young King Francis I
Jack	The Messenger of Love
Spades
Ace	The Poisoners
King	Bluebeard
Queen	Lucretia Borgia
Jack	Machiavelli