Η χαρτορίχτρα

000066 Purma Klinv El. Pin (?), The Fortune teller, 1809, oil on wood, 40 × 35 cm

The humorous picture takes place in the courtyard of a house. In front of a small, wooden table, where there is a glass bottle and a small glass of wine, sits the old fortune teller. She tries to interpret the future on the deck of cards in favor of the young woman in the center of the scene. The girl wears clothes that are more reminiscent of antiquity than her time, and holds a rather badly painted cat. The animal looks anxiously at the fortune teller. Behind the tall wall, bringing his finger to his mouth as if urging the viewer to keep his position secret, a young poacher can be seen. Possibly, he intends to take advantage of the witch's words to charm the young woman. The game of love, a popular theme in Baroque, Rococo and 19th century genre painting, is the real protagonist here. The painting was probably made in the first half of the 19th century by a minor artist keen on Neoclassicism and Dutch art. Despite its weaknesses in drawing and colour, it stands out thanks to the naivety and charm of the episode, rather than the quality of its art. And confirms the public's enduring love of these subjects.