Checkerboard and Playing Cards (1915)

"Checkerboard and Playing Cards" (1915) by Juan Gris is a striking example of Cubist art that intriguingly plays with perspective and composition. In this painting, Gris assembles a captivating arrangement of everyday objects that challenge traditional views of space and form.The predominant elements in this work are a checkerboard and scattered playing cards—a nod to leisure time activities. Gris uses sharp geometric shapes and overlapping planes to construct his composition. The checkerboard, a recurrent theme in his work, is depicted with a combination of green and brown tones, suggesting a view from above with one of its edges visibly raised.Partially covering the checkerboard are playing cards, which appear to be almost sliding off the surface, depicted with distorted realism that emphasizes the cubist style of breaking objects into shapes and reassembling them abstractly. The playing cards feature visible suits and numbers, adding a touch of recognizable reality amidst the abstract composition.A striking feature is the red and black planes that create a dynamic contrast with the muted browns and greens, energizing the painting’s palette. These elements could be interpreted as a circular table or different surfaces on which the objects rest.