The Chess Players 1904

Ludwig Deutsch painted "The Chess Players" with oils, probably back in 1904. You can almost smell the oils and the scent of whatever it is they’re smoking. I love the drama of the two men playing chess. I can imagine the artist setting up this scene with the chess players, the tea set, and the textiles. And then there’s this other figure in the background, lurking. Look at the gorgeous tilework on the back wall and the rich red carpet under the chessboard. And then, the light! It's coming from the left and illuminating the figures. You can sense Deutsch carefully laying down the colors and forms of the painting, building it up, layer by layer. The painting feels so alive with intention, but also a little contrived. Still, I admire Deutsch for wanting to show us this moment. It reminds me of other painters who construct narratives through careful observation.