“The Cardgame,” crafted by the artist Balthus in 1973, is an expressionist genre painting executed on canvas using tempera. The artwork measures 190 by 225 centimeters and is housed in Museum Boijmans van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork portrays a serene yet enigmatic scene of two individuals engaged in a card game. The composition captures a moment of stillness and contemplation, as the figures are poised with deliberate expressions. The artist employs a muted palette, with the subdued tones emphasizing the introspective mood of the scene. The use of tempera on canvas creates a textured quality, adding depth to the figures and the checkered tablecloth, which forms the focal point of their interaction. The background is rendered with a dark, almost abstract pattern, serving to isolate the figures and draw the viewer’s attention to their quiet, intimate interaction. The overall atmosphere of the painting reflects the principles of expressionism, focusing on emotional experience rather than physical reality.
