Chess Art Appraisal

Chess Queen (Art Print by Richard C. Williams)

The item is a framed art print, likely a serigraph or lithograph, featuring a monochromatic depiction of a young Black girl seated next to a large chess piece, specifically a king. The print displays a limited color palette, dominated by grays, blacks, with accents of muted red and white. The girl is rendered with soft facial features, dark braided hair, and is wearing what appears to be a light-colored dress and a pearl necklace, adding a touch of elegance. Her gaze is directed slightly upwards and to the right, with a pensive or thoughtful expression. The large chess king, in a dark tone, stands prominently beside her, almost as tall as she is while seated, suggesting depth of thought or a symbolic narrative. The background consists of abstract geometric shapes in coordinating grays and reds, indicative of a modernist or contemporary art style. The print is housed under glass within a multi-layered frame. The outer frame appears to be made of wood with an orangish-brown, possibly lacquered or stained, finish, exhibiting a slight sheen. Inside this is a wide, gray mat board, followed by a thinner, lighter gray or off-white inner mat, which creates a significant border around the print and helps preserve it by preventing direct contact with the glass. There are visible reflections on the glass surface, indicating a glossy finish and suggesting the presence of ambient lighting in the room where it is displayed. The lower portion of the print shows some text, including what appears to be a numerical edition (e.g., '1/500'), the title 'Chess Queen', and 'Copyright 1980' or a similar year, along with what could be the artist's signature. The overall condition appears good, with no obvious signs of damage to the print itself, though minor dust or smudges on the glass are possible due to reflections. The framing seems well-executed, protecting the artwork.