A Game of Cards
SOLD November 2003 |
Half plate European ambrotype ca. 1858 showing six men smoking, drinking wine and playing a game of cards. In period passe-partout mount and black polished frame 8.25 x 9.75 inches (21x24 cm).
I don't know whether to classify this as a drinker image, a (pipe) smoker image, a card-player image, or a comradeship image. And even if we went on to mention numerous details of their picturesque clothing, we'd be missing the point. This is a *fun* image, and a scene of merriment and conviviality. I think the man in background is toasting us.
Some encroaching darkening of the emulsion, but everywhere the image is still readable. Even the individual playing cards are readable.
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