The artwork titled “Advertisement. Chess Club Chateau d’Oex” was created by artist M.C. Escher in 1936. It is executed as a woodcut, a traditional printmaking technique, and exemplifies the Expressionist art movement, though Escher is not typically categorized within this movement. This woodcut served as a poster to publicize the activities of a chess club.
The artwork features bold contrasts and an economy of visual elements that is typical of poster design. The central focus is a striking representation of a white chess king, rendered in a three-dimensional perspective. This figure dominates the woodcut, commanding attention against the diagonal checkerboard pattern that forms a dramatic backdrop. The design’s stark black and white contrasts are evocative of the dualistic nature of chess itself.
Around the chess piece, the text is integrated seamlessly into the composition, creating a balanced design. The typography is arranged to follow the contours of the diamond-shaped central space, reinforcing the artwork’s geometrical harmony. The use of French text announces the regular meeting times of the club—every Monday at 8:30 PM—and identifies the location at the Hotel de la Gare in Chateau d’Oex. The strong lines and clear message of the poster embody the functionality and aesthetic potency of the Expressionist movement, despite Escher’s more commonly recognized association with surrealism and mathematical art.