Artwork
The Backgammon Players
The Backgammon Players is an oil painting by the Arts and Crafts movement artist Marshall, Faulkner & Co. Philip Webb|Sir Edward Burne-Jones|Morris. It dates from 1861 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Philip Webb's 1861 work, "The Backgammon Players," presents a distinctive blend of art and craft. This piece, more than a conventional painting, functions as a three-dimensional object incorporating a playable backgammon set. It portrays a quiet genre scene where two figures engage in a game, rendered with oil paint on leather, integrated into a structure of painted pine, brass, and copper.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork captures an intimate genre scene, focusing on two individuals absorbed in a game of backgammon. The figures are depicted with long, flowing hair and simple, draped garments, suggesting a timeless quality. A soft light illuminates the wooden table, emphasizing the quiet concentration of the players and inviting contemplation of the domestic moment.
Technique & Style
This unique construction integrates a fully realized backgammon board, complete with miniature brass playing pieces, directly into the artwork.
Webb's innovative approach combines traditional painting with functional design. The piece is crafted from painted pine, featuring oil paint applied to leather, alongside elements of brass and copper. This unique construction integrates a fully realized backgammon board, complete with miniature brass playing pieces, directly into the artwork. The artist deliberately merges the illusion of a painted scene with the tangible reality of a playable game.
Context
This work exemplifies an artistic philosophy that challenged conventional distinctions between fine art and decorative crafts. Philip Webb was a key figure associated with Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co., a collective known for its commitment to integrating art into everyday life through various media, including furniture and interior design. "The Backgammon Players" reflects this ethos by merging painting with a functional object.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marshall, Faulkner & Co. Philip Webb|Sir Edward Burne-Jones|Morris
Philip Webb and Edward Burne-Jones worked together on furniture and decorations for homes in the 1860s.
