Artwork Page for House of Cards

Details / Information for House of Cards

House of Cards

c. 1737

Pierre Filloeuil

(French, 1696–after 1734)

after Jean-Siméon Chardin

(French, 1699–1779)
Culture
France, 18th century
Medium
engraving
Measurements
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.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1995.265
Catalogue raisonné
Inventaire du Fonds, Français 144
State
II/III
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

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.
A horizontally oriented print in black ink depicts a boy with light skin tone in profile, building a house of cards at a wooden table. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and long coat, he looks down intently. A partially open drawer reveals playing cards, while a heavy, tasseled curtain frames the right side. French text below includes the title "LE CHATEAU DE CARTE" and several lines of verse.

House of Cards

c. 1737

Pierre Filloeuil, Jean-Siméon Chardin

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

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