Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats) by Valentin de Boulogne

Valentin de Boulogne, Soldiers Playing Cards and Dice (The Cheats), c. 1620/1622, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Patrons' Permanent Fund 1998.104.1

The story is familiar—seeking a thrill, a naive young man has fallen in with bad company and is about to be cheated out of his purse. Light rakes across his shoulder, harshly illuminating the gritty room. The hour is late, the men are crowded around the table, tired and tense, with swords at the hilt. Violence could erupt at any moment.