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| Chess Players. Lloyd Lillie, 1983. Bronze, life-size. Washington, D.C. |
A bronze
casting of two chess players is a pleasant surprise for anyone walking through
the John Marshall Memorial Park in Washington, D.C. The park is a tranquil,
green space between the U.S. District Court building and the Canadian Embassy. These
two bronze figures are seated on a low wall as they consider the next strategic
move of their game. One gentleman holds
a bishop in his right hand, as his opponent concentrates on the chessboard’s remaining
pieces. These two friends are engaged in a challenge of critical thinking with
the goal to checkmate the king, and win the game. Their attire suggests that they are
professionals, perhaps attorneys, who may ultimately be responsible for
prosecution or defense in a legal case that they also intend to win.
The surface
treatment of each figure indicates the artist’s preference to reveal the original
malleable mass of clay that was used to begin the sculpture. This technique, a
reminder of the artist’s hand, is also used for expressive purposes. Sculptors often begin a figure by modeling
with clay or wax, and then replace the original material with bronze. As the outdoor
sculpture is exposed to changing weather conditions, a green patina has accumulated
on the surface as well. Sometimes, a
sculptor will artificially induce the appearance of a patina.
References:
Chess History. 2007-2012.The United States Chess
Federation.
John
Marshall Memorial Park. 2008. John Marshall Memorial Park Foundation.
Lillie, Lloyd.
Lloyd Lillie Commissions. 2002. http://lloydlillie.com/lillie_3col_commission.html
(accessed April 2, 2013).
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