Dobbelende soldaten bij kaarslicht 1655 - 1700

"Dobbelende soldaten bij kaarslicht" (Soldiers Gambling by Candlelight), an etching by Jan van Somer, depicts a scene of four soldiers gambling in a dimly lit room. The soldiers are dressed in 17th-century attire, their faces illuminated by the flickering candlelight, creating a dramatic contrast of light and shadow. The composition is intimate and focused on the action of the game, capturing a moment of leisure and camaraderie amongst soldiers during a time of war. The artwork, measuring 286 mm in height and 308 mm in width, is a compelling example of the Dutch Golden Age genre of "genre painting," which focused on everyday life and activities.