The painting is titled Soldier at a Game of Chess (also known by its French titles: Soldat au jeu d'échec, Le Soldat à la partie d'échecs, or Soldat jouant aux échecs). It was created by the French artist Jean Metzinger between 1914 and 1915.

Artist and Style: Jean Metzinger was a key proponent of the Cubist movement, and this work exemplifies the style through its use of fragmented forms, multiple perspectives, and geometric planes.

Context: The painting was completed while Metzinger was serving in the military during World War I.

Symbolism: The work is considered an exploration of form, space, and geometric relationships, with the soldier's calculated moves on the chessboard symbolizing the artist's rigorous approach to composition.