Aside from poker card deck, chess is also one of the most common theme in terms of artistic interpretations like in illustration and even in photography. A recent project by Italian photographer Francesco Ridolfi has explored the concept of bringing the popular board game into the next level . This time creating amazing real life portraits of six Chess pieces.
Black King
The project is called “Chess Portraits” – a series of photographs depicting six Chess pieces as real life characters including the Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, Rook and Pawn. Just like in the board game, each piece has two versions – blacks and whites. The whole concept plus the props, make-up, costuming and characterization of the pieces are so fascinating with great attention to every detail.
Francesco has this to say about the project:
“Often, inside each one of us, opposing drives make themselves felt and alternate within as light illuminates and shadow darkens our minds. Black and White. Good plays Evil.
Chess figures offer an opportunity to explore this dualism. They provide a set of archetypes that convey different aspects of human nature.
They throw us into relief; they highlight us in shadow and light. Blacks and Whites.”
Scroll down below to see the amazing photos from the series or head over the project website for full view of images.
WARNING: Some images contain mature content.
White King
Black Queen
White Queen
Black Bishop
White Bishop
Black Rook
White Rook
SEE ALSO: You! Be Inspired! – Check Mate
Black Knight
White Knight
Black Pawn
White Pawn
Check out the behind the scenes video of the project here.
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