Card tricks 1888

Curator: "Card Tricks," a drawing by Adolf Eberle from 1888. Executed in ink on paper, it presents a genre scene full of captivating details. Editor: It’s intensely moody, isn't it? The way the light and shadow play across the faces, the textures...almost like a stage setting. Is he winning, do you think? He looks a bit too pleased with himself. Curator: Well, genre painting often captured scenes of everyday life, and gambling was certainly a part of that in many social classes. I am immediately curious, who are these people, and why is this moment of trickery significant? Who are the tricksters, really? Eberle might have been making commentary on societal hierarchies. The central character in this work looks suspiciously aristocratic, and may very well be using his appearance and mannerisms to trick a less astute person. Editor: I love the domestic chaos—the woman holding the dogs, the child with the stick, and the sense that, beyond this table, life is happening. I am really taken with that kid, he has no money in the game, but is taking it all in. You almost get the feeling that, once the artist drew this character, he thought he may amount to be a man with something important to say. Curator: Indeed! These observations on character and interactions of social types also brings to mind a potential market of the era for illustrations like this. Who was seeking out images and who may have collected similar depictions? Were there journals of the period who may have acquired artworks like this? Were there social clubs with this style of art prominently displayed? These details are critical. Editor: And even in this muted palette, the personalities jump out at you. Eberle really knew how to observe people. I am noticing many of these details the more that I analyze. Curator: The use of realism in the genre-painting is very clever and thought provoking. Eberle is very skilled at what he is doing, which leads me to wonder what commentary he is really trying to make by showcasing a simple "trick". Editor: Right, almost as if the card tricks are simply symbolic of other power dynamics. I hadn't considered it that way before! So many ways to think about it.