Who painted Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players)?

Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players) was painted by Johann Esaias Nilson in 1756.

Where can I see Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players)?

Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players)?

Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players) is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players)?

Museum-quality prints of Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players)

Johann Esaias Nilson , 1756

Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Esaias Nilson. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper center: Das Billardspielen lower center: Das a la Guerre Spiel kan zwar Vergnügen geben. / Doch lasst uns ausser dem nicht a la Guerre leben.

About this work

Overview

Johann Esaias Nilson's 1756 engraving with etching, Das Billardspielen (Billiard Players), depicts a group of men playing billiards in a well-appointed room with large windows, capturing a moment of leisure in 18th-century attire.

Subject & Meaning

The print focuses on the everyday leisure activity of billiards, showcasing a social gathering of men in a domestic setting, highlighting the cultural significance of such pastimes among the era's upper classes.

Technique & Style

Nilson employed engraving combined with etching to achieve detailed textures, evident in the intricate folds of the men's clothing and the polished billiard table surface, demonstrating the expressive capabilities of these printmaking techniques.

History & Provenance

Created in 1756, the work's provenance details are not specified here, though its creation date situates it within the mid-18th century European printmaking tradition.

Context

Das Billardspielen reflects the growing interest in depicting everyday life and leisure activities in 18th-century European art, aligning with the period's emphasis on realism and the emergence of middle-class themes.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of Das Billardspielen are not provided, it contributes to the broader historical record of 18th-century printmaking and the documentation of leisure pursuits in art.