The Billiard 1955

Richard Lindner made this painting, The Billiard, with oil on canvas, and it’s all about how the artist sees and renders space. Lindner's marks are so precise, almost architectural, creating flat planes of colour that meet to form hard-edged shapes. Look at how the deep red of the billiard table contrasts with the cooler blues and greens of the players' clothing. It's not about blending; it's about a kind of constructive painting. The texture is smooth, almost polished, and the process feels deliberate. Notice the angle of the pool cue pointing towards the red ball. It creates a line of tension that pulls you into the scene. Lindner's work always reminds me of artists like Philip Guston, who embraced figuration with a bold, graphic style. The painting invites you to look closely and consider how Lindner saw the world. It is a conversation about form and colour, rather than a definitive statement.