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Men playing the royal game of croquet or pall mall, 1717
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Men playing the royal game of croquet or pall mall, 1717
Men playing the royal game of croquet or pall mall, le jeu royal de la passe, designed for Louis XV in 1717. Lithograph from Henry Rene Allemagnes Sports and Games of Skill (Sports et Jeux d Adresse), Librairie Hachette, Paris, 1903
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Media ID 23204264
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Allemagne Billiards Croquet Dadresse Golf Jeux Mall Pall Passe Rene Skill Games
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This lithograph depicts a scene of aristocratic leisure from the 18th century, featuring men engrossed in the royal game of croquet or pall-mall. The image is taken from Henry Rene Allemagne's comprehensive work, "Sports and Games of Skill" (Sports et Jeux d'Adresse), published in Paris by Librairie Hachette in 1903. The print is a meticulous reproduction of a design created for King Louis XV in 1717. Croquet and pall-mall were popular pastimes among the European elite during the 18th century. Croquet, a game that originated in France, involved hitting a small ball through a series of hoops using a mallet, while pall-mall was a precursor to golf, where players aimed to hit a ball with a club towards a target. The game of croquet depicted in this print is referred to as "le jeu royal de la passe," suggesting its royal patronage. The lithograph showcases a lush, verdant landscape, with a well-manicured garden serving as the backdrop for the game. The elegantly dressed men, their faces focused intently on the game, display an air of refinement and sophistication. The intricate details of the mallets, balls, and hoops are rendered with remarkable precision, while the delicate foliage and ornate clothing add to the overall visual appeal. The inclusion of this image in Allemagne's "Sports and Games of Skill" underscores the significance of these pastimes in the 18th-century European society, where the pursuit of physical and mental agility, as well as the display of wealth and status, were highly valued. This print offers a glimpse into the world of aristocratic leisure, providing a fascinating window into the past.
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