Artwork
Chinese game players on a mat
Chinese game players on a mat is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 16 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The drawing shows how people played games long ago, and the observer adds a layer of interest.
George Chinnery drew two men playing a game on the floor while a third stands behind them. It’s a simple scene, but the artist made it a study of quiet moments. Chinnery worked between 1843 and 1848, capturing everyday life with careful lines.
The drawing shows how people played games long ago, and the observer adds a layer of interest. It’s a small but telling slice of daily life from that time.
Check out more by George Chinnery at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Overview
This drawing by George Chinnery depicts a simple, everyday scene of two men engaged in a game on a mat on the ground, with a third man observing from behind.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a quiet moment in daily life, with the observer adding a layer of interest to the interaction between the two players.
Technique & Style
Chinnery's work is characterized by careful lines, demonstrating his attention to detail in capturing the scene.
History & Provenance
The drawing was created between 1843 and 1848, a period during which Chinnery documented everyday life.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.
