Jean Metzinger wanted to explore a different kind of perspective, what he called the "fourth space" of a three-dimensional world.  He was part of a movement called Cubism, which among other things, experimented with showing the viewer all sides of a person at once.  This painting was done while Metzinger was a soldier in World War I.  Even with all of the chaos around him, Metzinger continued to paint.  However, almost none of his artworks from this time reveal the horrors of war; rather, Metzinger uses his art to give some kind of order to the world around him.  He chose to depict this soldier with geometrical shapes playing a game of strategy instead of a war scene.

Some questions to think about:

• Where do you think this scene is set?  Why?
• How would you describe the perspective in this painting?  Is it realistic?  Notice the chessboard and pieces.  Why do you think Metzinger chose to use a different kind of perspective?
• Notice the different shapes and lines within the composition.
• What are the details of this work that let you know the man is a soldier?

Fifth Artwork