Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 1, 1908.djvu/214

JAN STEEN SECT. 719. BACKGAMMON PLAYERS. In a large room, the walls of which are hung with bronze-coloured leather, a young woman and a man play backgammon. The man gives his opponent advice. Between them is a man in black, leaning his head on his right hand and watching the game. In the background to the left a young man embraces a girl ; a man-servant pours out wine. A man stands near a bed ; a girl enters at a door on the right. On the right is a view into an adjacent room recalling a favourite motive of Pieter de Hooch's where a woman is seated ; her figure is not very delicately rendered. The two players and the couple on the left are, however, very well painted. The colouring is cool. The picture is very similar to the picture of the same period at Brunswick (457). Signed in full above the door and dated 1667 ; panel, 18 inches by 15! inches. In the collection of Gerard Block, from which it was purchased by Lormier (240 florins). Sale. W. Lormier, The Hague, July 4, 1763 (Hoet, ii. 438), No. 242 (540 florins, Cock). Purchased by the Empress Catherine II. Now in the Hermitage Palace, St. Petersburg, 1901 catalogue, No. 900. 720. A MERRY COMPANY IN A TAVERN. In the left background two peasants play . backgammon at a table, upon which is a pewter pot. A third man seems to be giving advice to the players. Near him a man lights his pipe with a hot ember that he has taken out of the fire. On the right and more to the front an old couple pay the hostess their reckoning. Above the fireplace is a historical picture. In various parts of the room are a mirror, a chandelier, a lute, and other musical instruments. From the ceiling hangs a cage with a parrot. It is badly varnished, but is a very good picture with a warm yellowish-brown tone. The hostess's red jacket is the only piece of local colour. Signed in full in the right-hand bottom corner ; panel, 22 inches by inches. Purchased by the Tsar Alexander III. Brought from the country-house Monplaisir to the Hermitage in 1883. Now in the Hermitage Palace, St. Petersburg, 1901 catalogue, No. 1788. 720*. Backgammon Players. W. 406. One of the best works. Sale. J. de la Coste, The Hague, April 20, 1728, No. 16 (140 florins). j2ob. Backgammon Players. A principal work of the artist's. Sale. Amsterdam, August 9, 1739, No. 23 (155 florins). 720*:. Some Peasants playing Backgammon. W. 410. 9! inches by 7^ inches. Sale. S. van Zwieten, The Hague, April 12, 1741, No. 208 (5 florins). 720^. Backgammon Players. W. 424. ii inches by 15 inches. Sale. Amsterdam, November 6, 1749 (Hoet, ii. 278), No. 27 (120 florins).