Judith Lester, "A Game of Cards"

 

 

This week we are dipping way back to the 17th century for what is considered a genre painting.  Card playing must have been  a favorite pastime in Europe for generations as many artists tackled the subject, all the way up to Cezanne, and maybe later.   Our artist today is Judith Lester, (1609-1660).  Her work is often mistaken for Frans Hal, a man with whom she studied and worked beside.  Although it is impossible to know for sure, most references accredit them as simply artists of a like mind, and that Lester seems to have achieved her successes on her own merits.  She did become a member of the artists guild of the day, which was a considerable achievement. 

               In this case, "genre" painting refers to painting of the everyday, or images of people going about their everyday life, and almost always it is not the upper class, but the middle class or poor.   This painting shows what appears to be three men and one woman.  The man on our right is joyfully showing his winning trick to the others.   In looking close I believe it is only the woman and this man who are in the game, with the other two onlookers.  Naturally we have no idea of what the game is, but it appears our woman may have just found out she lost.  I hope she didn't bet on her chances.  I am undecided about her right hand, is it turned out as a plea for help (money)?   Is that why she is looking away, at someone else in the room?  These are all fun things to consider as Lester presents a situation where we are allowed to decide.   

   The painting is quite dark, but if we pull up the image we can see Lester has included details not easily seen.  This is an interior, so most likely it was dark.  What provides the light, candles, gas lantern?  The woman's white apron is lit just enough to bring our eye up to the smiling faces and her bright red jacket.  

   "A Game of Cards" original title is "Kaartspelers".  It was painted by Judith Lester in 1633 in Haarlem, Netherlands.  It is an oil on canvas measuring 43.5 x 54 cm.  and is part of the permanent collection of the Musee des Baux-Arts de Rouen, Rouen, France.  

   Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do. 

Comments

  1. Char HarguthNovember 29, 2021 at 9:30 AM

    Talk about men dominating!! Did she intentionally give the winner such a haughty expression, and the two onlookers apparently pleased with the outcome??I'm not sure how she is taking her loss, but she did take on the game with a male partner. It seems like there should be some "beverages" included in the picture. What are the jugs?? The composition is strong. Four faces almost in a row. She may have lost the game but she is certainly the highlight of this painting. We are sort of looking down on this event - a very skillful work.

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  2. JudithMarie5December 1, 2021 at 8:39 PM

    The painting is smallish: 16"X21"...an intimate setting of a tavern or such? IF we knew what game they are playing, the gestures and smiles might make more sense. I think she let whomever win and did not care. Strong female. Can you tell that I myself have been known to let others win?
    The colors are soft and 'candle-lit' perhaps? The woman is obviously the center of attention and beautifully done. Although never a huge fan of realism, I certainly admire the talent behind the painting.

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