Cardplayers 3

#89003     48″ X 66″      ac

• Cezanne: “Cardplayers” ( 1890 – 92 )
• Van Gogh: “Portrait of Patience Escalier, Shepherd in the Provence” ( 1888 )

When Chen arrived in Paris for the start of his twelve year stay, his first esthetic love was Vincent van Gogh (1853 – 1890). For years, the force of this influence was suppressed, but by the time Chen began his Spirit of Liberty Series, the smoldering ghost popped out to appear in many guises.

In this non-Liberty piece, Van Gogh dominates the picture with his portrait icon of the peasant and his brimming yellow straw hat.

The cardplayer on the right is an interesting reverse: a black figure which casts a golden shadow. A mysterious smoking animal sits on the left. Underneath the table, a black cat overpowers a white one.

The farmer in the center gambles with a far-away look in his eyes. He protects his cards, but his interest does not seem to be on the game. Where is it then?

– Lawrence Jeppson