Cardplayers 4

#89004     48″ X 66″     ac

• Cezanne: Cardplayers”, 1890-92
• Leger: “The Mechanic”, 1920. The National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa

These three cardplayers do not gamble for small stakes. The Leger figure on the right has one card showing: an ace. A red hammer and sickle tattoo on his biceps leaves no doubt as to this factory worker’s symbolism.

The figure on the left is pure extravagant Chen: a circus tent full of colors and costume, a multifaceted icon of Uncle Sam, who is in turn another icon. Sam also plays a single ace.

On the back of the table a large strong figure is seen only as a solid yellow bulk in Mandarin shape. Truly this is China. China also has a single card. Lying on the table face down it waits to be played. Who can doubt that this will be a standoff! All will have to compromise. No clear winner or losers.

Well, cards are a better solution than guns.
The wallpaper, by the way, is Matisse. And the purple figure who watches impassively? Write your won scenario – send it to Chen and see if you got it right.

-Lawrence Jeppson