Billiards – Played Out
A humorous billiards subject with two men standing behind a billiards table, where crossed cues and a several balls lie after a game. The man at left (wearing a top hat) pulls out his empty pockets, thereby showing that he has no more money. The bald man at right, who has extended his left palm in expectation of payment, angrily points his cue to the scoreboard (upper right). A third man (dressed in a brown hat and light green suit) exits via a door at the far left background.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Nathaniel Currier, whose successful New York-based lithography firm began in 1835, produced thousands of prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life and its history. People eagerly acquired such lithographs featuring picturesque scenery, rural and city views, ships, railroads, portraits, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments. As the firm expanded, Nathaniel included his younger brother Charles in the business. In 1857, James Merritt Ives (the firm's accountant since 1852 and Charles's brother-in-law) was made a business partner; subsequently renamed Currier & Ives, the firm continued until 1907.
Artwork Details
- Title: Billiards – Played Out
- Artist: John Cameron (American, born Scotland, ca. 1828–after 1896 New York)
- Publisher: Currier & Ives (American, active New York, 1857–1907)
- Date: 1874
- Medium: Hand-colored lithograph
- Dimensions: Image: 8 1/4 × 12 7/8 in. (21 × 32.7 cm)
Image and text: 9 1/8 × 12 7/8 in. (23.2 × 32.7 cm)
Sheet: 10 1/2 in. × 15 in. (26.7 × 38.1 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: Gift of A. S. Colgate, 1952
- Object Number: 52.632.173
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
John Cameron
Currier & Ives
1870
John Cameron
Currier & Ives
1870
John Cameron
Currier & Ives
1868–78
John Cameron
Currier & Ives
1870
Multiple artists/makers
1868
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.