Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats) c. 1618 - 1620

Valentin de Boulogne’s “Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats)” (c. 1618-1620) is a Baroque painting depicting a group of soldiers engaged in a game of cards and dice. The composition is characterized by dramatic lighting and a sense of unease, as one soldier appears to be cheating while another watches on with suspicion. The artist's masterful use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and shadow, creates a sense of drama and intrigue. The work exemplifies Caravaggio's influence on de Boulogne's style.