Chess Art of the: New York Metropolitan Museum
The Chess Players, 1876
Thomas Eakins (American, 1844–1916)
Oil on wood; 11 3/4 x 16 3/4 in. (29.8 x 42.6 cm)
Gift of the artist, 1881
This small composition on wood shows the artist's father, Benjamin Eakins (1818–1899), watching a chess game between his friends Bertrand Gardel (ca. 1808–1885), a French teacher, on the left, and George W. Holmes (ca. 1812–1895), a painter and art teacher, on the right. Thomas Eakins inscribed the painting in Latin on the drawer of the central table: "painted by the son of Benjamin Eakins 76." The artist's father is also the subject of The Writing Master (17.173). The setting for this work has been identified as the parlor of Eakins' home at 1729 Mount Vernon Street in Philadelphia. Related drawings are known. This work was first exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876 and was favorably received.
Bishop Chess Piece, 12th century
English
Walrus ivory; 3 7/8 x 2 3/8 in. (9.8 x 6 cm)
Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917 (17.190.229)
This twelfth-century ivory chess piece is carved in the form of an enthroned bishop who wears a miter, holds a crosier, and makes a gesture of blessing with two raised fingers. Two attendants crouch beside him, rendered on a much smaller scale to suggest lower status. The kneeling figure on his right, wearing a monastic haircut called a tonsure, gestures to an open book. The figure on the opposite side rests on his staff, head in hand.
The game of chess was probably brought to England by the Vikings, although it first appeared in India in the sixth century and was known in Europe as early as the tenth century. Chess was quite popular in medieval England, particularly among royalty, such as kings Henry I (r. 1100–1135), Henry II (r. 1154–89), and John (r. 1199–1216). The Museum's chess piece is similar to another set of medieval figurines known as the Lewis Chessmen, now in the British Museum. These are also made from walrus ivory, and they date to the mid-twelfth century, but they are carved in a more abstract style.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/eapa/ho_81.14.htm