Page:Hofstede de Groot catalogue raisonné, Volume 1, 1908.djvu/218

 194 JAN STEEN SECT. In the collection of the Baron J. G. Verstolk van Soelen, The Hague, 1842 (Sm.). In the collection of A. Baring, London. Sale. Mildmay, London, June 24, 1893, No. 71 (325 : los.). In the possession of the dealer Ch. Sedelmeyer, Paris, "Catalogue of 100 Paintings," 1894, No. 43. 729. THE ACE OF HEARTS. In a rustic interior peasants are playing cards. The room is lighted by a candle standing on a table behind a glass. On the left a man with red breeches leans back in his chair and triumphantly holds up the ace of hearts ; a heap of money lies on the table before him. Opposite him sits an old man with an uneasy air ; beside him is a woman looking attentively at the cards ; to her left is a young man who examines his cards and scratches his head. On the right behind 'them stand two men who turn towards the winner. Several persons are in the background. On the table lie the score and a pack of cards. The picture is brownish in tone. The figures are larger than usual, and, therefore, somewhat broader in treat- ment and somewhat monotonous in colour. Signed in full on a piece of paper on the right ; canvas, 32 inches by inches. In the Stockholm inventory of 1816. Now in the National Museum, Stockholm, 1900 catalogue, No. 647. 7290. Card-Players. Artistic and exceptionally natural. Sale. Amsterdam, July 13, 1718 (Hoet, i. 217), No. 17 (6 1 florins). 729^. Card-Players. W. 423. Sale. Pook and Theodorus van Pee, The Hague, May 27, 1747, No. 13 (41 florins) ; a pendant to No. 14 in the same sale (470*). 729^. Four Card-Players. W. 454. Panel, 9 inches by 8 inches. Sale. Van Nispen, The Hague, September 12, 1768, No. 103 (31 florins). 729^. The Card-Players. In a well-furnished room a lady and gentleman are playing cards ; two persons near them follow the game with interest. Through an open door at the back comes a girl with a tray in her hand. There are accessories. The expression is good and the execution admirable. Sale. Haarlem, September 23, 1811, No. 9. 730. Card- Players in a House of 111- Fame. Sm. Suppl. 77 ; W. 91. Three men and three women are assembled in a room. A young woman sits at a table with cards in her hand. A sharper on her left sees his adversary's cards reflected in a mirror held over the head of the dupe by an old woman ; the dupe is too intent on his game to notice the trick. Behind the young woman a young man sits smoking ; beside him is a comely girl. It is " painted in the artist's finished manner " (Sm.). Panel, 15 inches by 20 inches.