Children Playing Parlor Croquet (sketch) 1888

William Merritt Chase captured this scene, titled "Children Playing Parlor Croquet," using oil on canvas. The image pulses with the motifs of domesticity and childhood innocence. The two young girls, dressed in pristine white, stand out against the warm, earthy tones of the interior, evoking a sense of purity and naiveté. Note the croquet hoops that frame the space. They're a portal and a symbol of transition. This recalls classical triumphal arches, now miniaturized and brought into the domestic sphere. This juxtaposition reminds me of the cyclical nature of symbols. What once represented military victory is now an element of children's play. The game itself, with its rules and strategies, mirrors the larger game of life. Such symbolism speaks to our collective memory, the echoes of past experiences that shape our present understanding. The echoes of play—of childhood—resonate deeply.