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House of Cards

Date unknown
(French, 1696-aft 1734)
(French, 1699–1779)
France, 18th century
engraving
Sheet: 42.1 x 57.1 cm (16 9/16 x 22 1/2 in.); Platemark: 27.5 x 31.1 cm (10 13/16 x 12 1/4 in.)
John L. Severance Fund 1995.265
Catalogue raisonné: Inventaire du Fonds, Français 144
State: II/III
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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Description

Chardin's (1699-1779) quiet picture of a boy studiously balancing cards is one of several paintings in which he depicted children or adolescents absorbed in thoughtful play or study. The rhyme at the bottom of the print comments on the resemblance between childhood and adult realms: You are wrong to make fun of this adolescent And of his useless amusement Ready at first breeze to capsize We are bored even at the age we should be wise Out of our brains there often blow The most ridiculous châteaus.
House of Cards

House of Cards

Date unknown

Pierre Filloeuil, Jean-Siméon Chardin

(French, 1696-aft 1734), (French, 1699–1779)
France, 18th century

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