Billiard player; Billardspieler Marianne von Werefkin (1860-1938)

The composition presents a scene within what appears to be a billiard hall. A man is positioned in the foreground, poised to strike a ball on a green table. He is dressed formally, in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, his posture suggesting concentration and perhaps a degree of weariness. His face, rendered with simplified features, conveys an expression that is difficult to definitively read – it might be one of detached focus or quiet melancholy.
A second figure stands partially obscured on the right side of the frame. Only the back of their head and upper shoulders are visible; they appear dark-skinned and wear a light-colored shirt. Their presence introduces a sense of observation, perhaps even surveillance, adding an element of social commentary to the scene.
The background is dominated by intense, flat planes of color – predominantly orange and red – which create a claustrophobic atmosphere. These colors are not naturalistic; they heighten the emotional intensity and contribute to a feeling of unease. A framed picture hangs on the wall behind the players, its contents indistinct but suggesting an attempt at refinement or cultural aspiration that contrasts with the somewhat disquieting nature of the scene.
The billiard balls themselves – one red, two white – are rendered with stark simplicity, their placement seemingly arbitrary and contributing to a sense of imbalance within the composition. The overall effect is not celebratory; instead, it evokes a mood of isolation and introspection. The formal attire of the man, coupled with the subdued lighting and the unsettling color palette, suggests a commentary on leisure, class, and perhaps even alienation in modern society. Theres an underlying tension between the apparent normalcy of the activity depicted and the psychological weight conveyed through the artist’s choices regarding color, form, and composition.