Mary Bunde 

Die Karten Spieler 

Gouache 

1990.3.1 

We here at the UAG would like to remind you to practice social distancing and NOT play cards like the people depicted in this painting! 

Visual Description: Gouache painting of two people sitting at a table playing cards. The image is comprised of geometric patterns and squares of color. 

You might recognize this painting if you’ve ever walked around UWM’s Student Union—it shares a wall with our gallery entrance! It is one of many pieces from our collection that we have been able to adorn the walls of our Union with, all of which celebrate the talents of UWM artist alumni. 

The title of this piece means ‘The Card Players’ in German. This title is likely referencing Paul Cezanne’s five-piece series of oil paintings by the same name painted in the early 1890’s. With its geometric abstraction and disco-like floor space, Bunde updates the simple card game to the 20th century, and to a context that Cezanne likely wouldn’t have dreamed of when he made his five-part series.