Tric Trac Players 1655

Curator: Let's turn our attention now to Pieter de Hooch's "Tric Trac Players," painted in 1655. It’s an oil on canvas, and it resides here at the National Gallery of Ireland. Editor: My immediate impression is the dramatic contrast. There is a moody almost dark space, lit by this pool of soft, diffused light illuminating three figures clustered around a table like moths to a flame. It feels…intimate, and secretive, but also rather charming. Curator: That intimacy is something de Hooch does masterfully. He situates us within the everyday life of the Dutch Golden Age. "Tric Trac" was a popular backgammon-like game and paintings like this one offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of the time, highlighting a moment of relaxed social interaction, possibly even gambling. Genre painting as social record! Editor: Indeed, I am quite drawn to this woman with the white head covering in the center; she almost seems amused at the machinations of these fellas in hats. I like how De Hooch's placement has the two figures nearly obscuring her; almost a barrier while all you can see is the faint smile and glowing cheek, wonderful bit of the artist to include a witness! Curator: Certainly! The positioning also emphasizes a distinct social dynamic. The two men, absorbed in the game, inhabit the public sphere, while the woman seems anchored within a more domestic setting, maybe a suggestion of some power dynamic. Remember this genre, the everyday scenes, were popular with the rising merchant class, eager to display their status and prosperity. Editor: Well I never would've looked into all of that myself! I really love to be in a cozy tavern. What a simple joy is expressed here! You can almost hear the clinking glasses and smell the smoke, I tell ya, that woman needs to play next round to put these fellas in their place. I wonder if any of our listeners ever get as deep into Tric-Trac themselves, hmmm? Curator: Ha, perhaps! As for us, De Hooch certainly used lighting to draw us into the painting; it is used effectively. It spotlights figures, enhances the atmospheric quality, and adds nuance and intrigue. I hadn't thought of how much this scene has to offer, until now. Editor: I agree. Thanks to that interplay of light and shadow and a very coy subject matter, what might have been a very simple game becomes a very complicated tableau. Very cool, very cool indeed!