Schaakspel bij kaarslicht 1788 - 1808

This red chalk drawing of a candlelit chess game was made by Jan Brandes, who lived from 1743 to 1808. Red chalk, also known as sanguine, is an earthy pigment that has been used by artists since the Renaissance. The material itself is key to understanding this work. Chalk is relatively easy to work with, allowing for quick sketches and studies, and imparting a warm, soft glow. Brandes has fully exploited these qualities, using the medium to capture the intimate atmosphere as the two figures are engrossed in a game of chess. The texture of the chalk gives a subtle, grainy appearance to the drawing, adding to its tactile appeal. Though this may be a quick sketch, we should consider the wider context that made it possible. The chess set, the candlelight, the paper, and the chalk were all material goods, circulated via global trade networks. And of course, the leisure to play chess implies a certain class position. Appreciating the choices that Brandes made gives us a window into the making of the artwork, and also the making of eighteenth-century society.