“Chess”, John Maltby (1936-2020)
“Chess”, John Maltby (1936-2020)
A thoughtful work by John Maltby (1936-2020), “Chess” distils the familiar geometry of the chessboard into a pared-back, quietly expressive composition. Rather than a literal representation, the painting explores balance, rhythm, and structure, thus allowing the board's grid to become the subject.
Maltby’s restrained palette and subtle surface variation lend the work a sense of depth and calm, while the recurring squares create a visual cadence that feels both ordered and gently irregular. There is a quiet tension between control and play, echoing the strategic nature of the game without directly depicting it.
Acrylic on board collage, with gilt text, signed Maltby bottom right.
40 x 30cm (image); 58 x 48cm (frame).
Provenance: John Maltby Ceramics and Paintings, Godfrey & Watt, 11th October-1st November 2003. Private collection, then acquired by the gallery from auction.
John Maltby produced two acrylic on board collages for his 2003 exhibition: Chess and Chess II along with several other acrylic paintings. This exhibition was the first time he showed his paintings alongside his ceramic sculptures.
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