Artwork
A card game of Piquet
A card game of Piquet is a drawing by Louis-Léopold Boilly. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum. A card game scene is depicted in a drawing on brown paper, executed in black and white chalk.
About this work
Overview
A card game scene is depicted in a drawing on brown paper, executed in black and white chalk. The artist's signature is visible at the lower right.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows three men and a dog engaged in a game of piquet, seated on a bench with a folded umbrella behind them. The scene conveys a sense of everyday life, capturing a quiet moment among the players.
Technique & Style
The artist employed quick, sketchy lines in black and white chalk to convey movement and focus on the players. The predominantly earthy color palette, with browns and grays, is punctuated by warm highlights on the figures' clothing.
History & Provenance
This drawing served as a preparatory work for a lithograph titled *La partie de piquet*, and related versions in oil and watercolor are also known to exist.
Artist & collection
