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Playing Cards

Gerard Hoet І

Basic information

ID: Ж-383
Author: Gerard Hoet І
Name: Playing Cards
Country: Holland
Technique: oil painting
Material: tinplate oil
Dimensions (height x width, cm): 23 x 29.5

Additionally

Type: painting
Genre: genre art
Provenance: the Lubomirski collection
Exposition: Potocki Palace

Information about author

Author: Gerard Hoet І
Artist's lifetime: 1648–1733
Country: Holland
Biography: Gerard Hoet (1648–1733) was a Dutch painter, writer, engraver, and illustrator. He was born in 1648 in Zaltbommel, in the province of Gelderland. He studied under his father and brother, who were glass painters, and under Warnard van Rijsen, a pupil of Cornelis van Poelenburgh. In 1672, Hoet moved to The Hague. Later, he caught the interest of Count Salis, and he returned to his native Zaltbommel to paint for the count. Hoet accompanied Count Salis on his travels to Germany, where he met Utrecht artists Jan van Bunnik, Justus van der Nypoort, and Andries de Vito. He worked in Utrecht, The Hague, and Amsterdam. Later, he continued his work in Paris and Brussels. After returning to Utrecht, he got married and found work with the lord of the castle in Hemstede. Together with Hendrik Schoock, in 1697, he approached the city council of Utrecht with a request to establish an art academy. During this period, the artist adorned the palaces and castles of notable individuals in the Utrecht area with his works. In 1715, he returned to The Hague, where he spent the rest of his life. His son, Gerard Hoet II, became a genre painter and collector. Hoet I created allegorical and mythological paintings, portraits, landscapes, multi-figure compositions, illustrations for the Bible, and the "Great Theatre of Dutch Painters and Paintresses" – a series of biographies of artists with engraved portraits.

Object description

The painting nearly fills the space with a multi-figure composition depicting a card game. Eight people are seated around the table. Some are participating in the game, while others are observing. Alongside the men are women, highlighting the democratic nature of this pastime. The lavish clothing, quality footwear, hats, and weapons of the portrayed individuals indicate the wealth of the Dutch bourgeois. Playing cards are on the table, covered with a bright red cloth. The tense excitement of the players captures the decisive moment of the game. Card games made their way to Europe from China in the 14th century and became widely popular in the 16th century. Since then, they have become a popular subject in art. Small in size, diverse, realistic paintings that conveyed moral teachings and showcased beauty in everyday life, representing the country's inhabitants, were trendy in the 17th century. The palette of the works by the "little Dutch" painters is unrestrained. The capture of every moment of life, the surrounding world, nature, cities and villages, marine landscapes, floral bouquets, and the gifts of nature, along with the elevation of the everyday labour and leisure of the Dutch, are the main characteristics of the works by artists of this period.

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery

Playing Cards

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