Who painted Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games)?

Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games) was painted by Johann Esaias Nilson in 1756.

Where can I see Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games)?

Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games)?

Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games)

Johann Esaias Nilson , 1756

Das Bretspiel (Ladies and Gentlemen Playing Board Games) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Esaias Nilson. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Johann Esaias Nilson’s 1756 print, titled Das Bretspiel, depicts a mixed group of men and women gathered around a table engaged in a game of backgammon. Executed as an engraving with etching on laid paper, the work captures a moment of leisure within an interior space, illuminated by daylight entering from a left‑hand window.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents participants in contemporary dress, their postures formal and expressions restrained, reflecting the social conventions of mid‑18th‑century public life. By focusing on a common pastime, the image offers a glimpse into the social rituals of recreation and interaction among mixed genders during the period.

Technique & Style

Nilson combines engraving and etching to achieve delicate line work, rendering fine details such as hair curls, fabric folds, and the subtle play of light and shadow. The contrast between the crisp engraved outlines and the softer etched tones creates depth, while the laid‑paper surface contributes a textured background.

Context

Backgammon enjoyed widespread popularity in the 1700s, frequently featured in coffeehouses and private salons as a socially acceptable form of entertainment. Nilson’s print aligns with a broader European tradition of genre prints that documented everyday activities, serving both as visual record and moral commentary.

History & Provenance

The work is known from Nilson’s oeuvre of prints, though other comparable pieces by the artist remain scarce. Existing copies are held in several European print collections, confirming its circulation among collectors of genre imagery during the Enlightenment.