Queen of Diamods 2019

Michael Cheval, born in 1966, painted this ‘Queen of Diamonds’ with oils, though the exact date remains elusive. Just imagine the artist in his studio, brush in hand, carefully building up the colours and patterns, tile by tile, of that incredible harlequin costume. I'm especially drawn to the contrast between the smooth, almost porcelain-like treatment of her face and the rough, textured background. It's as if she's emerging from some kind of dreamscape. Cheval’s surrealist style reminds me of Magritte. Yet there’s a distinctly contemporary sensibility to the work. Her eyes have a certain intensity, as if she knows something we don't. The queen may be holding all the cards but the question is: who is holding the artist’s hand? It's a reminder that art is not just about the surface, but the layers beneath.