The Chess Players 1929

Sir John Lavery painted "The Chess Players" with oil on canvas, sometime around the start of the 20th century. I like the way the light dapples across the room, creating this relaxed, domestic scene where the focus is really on capturing a mood, rather than any sense of drama. Look how Lavery’s brushstrokes are loose and visible. You can almost feel the texture of the canvas coming through. The colours are muted, mostly warm browns and gentle pinks, which adds to the intimate feeling of the piece. Then you notice the red of the chair, which is a simple splash of colour and also kind of anchors the scene, giving it a strong focal point. The softness of the brushstrokes and the way the light seems to blur the edges of everything reminds me of Degas. It's like he's inviting you to just relax and observe. Maybe Lavery is telling us it’s okay not to have all the answers, and to see the world as an ongoing, ever-changing game.