The Chess Players
Thomas Eakins · 1876
Why it's great
Two men sit by a chessboard in a quiet room, thinking deeply. Eakins painted his father and friends and was mindful of the light on the wood and on their faces. It was a gift to his father. It's a nice study of concentration.
Where to see it
📍 Metropolitan Museum of ArtNew York City, United States
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Thomas Eakins was born in Philadelphia and lived there nearly all his life. He studied anatomy and photography so his paintings of people, rowers and surgeons would be true to life. His honest realism upset some people, but is now praised. He taught art in Philadelphia and died there in 1916.
