Charles Blackman’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Painting for Melbourne Auction
Published November 10th, 2009
Offered for Auction for the First Time at Bonhams and Goodman in Melbourne
‘As one might expect, this chess game of a painting can be played and understood on many levels: firstly, the immemorial chess structure that underlies the conception of the Through the Looking-glass game; secondly, in a mirror of the game of chess, its rules, strategies and possibilities; thirdly, as a paradox of Time – waiting Time and wasting Time; fourthly, as a game of intrigue between the higher powers – King, Queen, Knight, Bishop and Castle; and fifthly, as a metaphor for plotting the future of their reproduction on the part of the real Alice [Barbara] and the White Rabbit [Charles].’ (Geoffrey Smith and Felicity St John Moore, Charles Blackman: Alice in Wonderland, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 2006, p. 94.)
Geoffrey Smith, now Director and National Head of Art at Bonhams and Goodman remarks “We are honoured to have been entrusted with the sale of this masterpiece of Australian art and to offer this particularly loved and famous painting for public auction for the very first time.”
The Game of Chess is expected to achieve between $600,000 – 800,000 and is included in the Australian and International Fine Art auction to be held on Tuesday 24 November at 7pm in Melbourne.
