The Tric-Trac Players
David Teniers the younger (Antwerp 1610 - Brussels 1690)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
circa 1640
Materials
Oil on panel
Measurements
470 x 571 mm (18 1/2 x 22 1/2 in)
Place of origin
Flanders (Belgium from 1830)
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1246499.2
Caption
The tavern scenes of this Flemish artist frequently centre on figures gambling on games of chance. This example captures a moment before the roll of the dice in a game of tric-trac which is played on a board similar to that used for backgammon.These pictures emerged from a tradition that explicitly moralised on the blind and vicious character of gamblers yet the atmosphere here is generally relaxed and good humoured. If the party has a buffoon it is the standing character in blue who displays a greater animation than the other figures and an absurd feather in his hat.
Summary
Oil painting on panel, The Tric-Trac Players by David Teniers the younger (Antwerp 1610 - Brussels 1690), c.1640. In the foreground two young peasants are playing tric-trac at a table covered with a green cloth, while a peasant woman who is seated, and a man, look on; in the background a man with his back to the fire is conversing with a woman; on the ground are various objects including a large tub and barrel.
Provenance
Rhone, 1855 (according to Pereire sale catalogue); Pereire sale, Paris, 6-9 March 1872, lot 163; Camondo sale, Paris, February 1893; with Lesser, from whom bought by William McEwan for £3,150 (with other two Teniers) in 1894; The bequest of Margaret (Anderson) McEwan, The Hon. Mrs Ronald - later Dame Margaret - Henry Fulke Greville, DBE (1863-1942) from probate records linked with the donation of the property to the National Trust in 1943. This item found on the record for Polesden Lacey pictures, drawings etc., stored in the cellar, page 171.
Credit line
Polesden Lacey, The McEwan Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
D. TENIERS F (signed, bottom right)
Makers and roles
David Teniers the younger (Antwerp 1610 - Brussels 1690), publisher
