This is a 19th Century oil on canvas painting signed D.M. LePage, Paris depicting a group of soldiers playing dice on the top of a large drum. The painting appears to be after an original engraving by Jean Louis Earnest Meissonier. There are many antique paintings of the same image, but as these are after an engraving, typically the colors are different, and the quality of the paintings are different. This painting has fine detail and is signed by the artist. See the last photo for an image of Meissonier’s actual engraving of the same subject. Five soldiers stand around the game, two players on the right side appear to have some kind of knowing look, while the man on the left looks startled and surprised as to what just happened. Perhaps these men were playing with loaded dice. A pile of armor adorns the floor on the lower left hand corner of the painting. The detail and bright colors of the mens’ outfits really make this painting stand out as does the embellished large wood and gesso picture frame.

The site area of the painting measures 14” x 11” and the overall size with the frame is 22” x 19”. The painting has been professionally cleaned and three small holes patched from verso as can be seen in the second from the last photo. There are areas of cupping and craquelure, which gives the item great age and presence. There is some corner separation on the frame, and small losses and restorations to the gesso frame, but present very well overall. There is a very old auction tag on the back of the frame from Augustus Clarke Auction in New York City.

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