Cardsharps

Caravaggio painted the scene of cheating at cards around 1594, one of his earliest genre paintings. A naive young player concentrates on his hand, unaware that his opponent signals to an accomplice who reaches for hidden cards behind his back.

The painting established themes Caravaggio would explore throughout his career: deception, dramatic lighting, and psychological tension. Its success brought him his first major patron. The work is at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth.