A wonderful historical painting by Laslett John Pott of Charles I playing chess before the battle of Naseby. The King is depicted sat at a table in front of a chess board opposite a member of his household. With the white king in check the game appears to be over, but Charles is yet to admit defeat. To the left an older boy, a page or possibly one of his sons, is shown bending down to pick up a glove. Meanwhile a lurcher can be seen on the rug beneath the table, its attention drawn towards other courtiers waiting behind a screen to the left. On the far right of the painting, two men stand next to a large window watching smoke rising from a distant fire.

This painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1881, no. 515, under the title ‘Before Naseby’. It was believed to have been inspired by an anecdote of the checkmate of the white king at a game of chess foreshadowing Charles I defeat at the battle of Nasesby. Charles I, who was often referred to as the ‘White King’, was a keen chess player and was known to have played during stressful times in the Civil War.

Laslett John Pott was a genre and historical painter born in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 1837, the son of John Manger Pott, and his wife Sophia Charlotte Moss. His father was a successful auctioneer and land valuer and his wealth enabled Pott to receive a good education. Although he showed an early talent for art, his father wanted him to become an architect and at the age of 16 he became an apprentice at a local firm. After his apprenticeship, he was able to persuade his father to let him change careers and enrol at the Bloomsbury Art School. Pott then went on to study under the historical and genre artist Alexander Johnston (1815-1891), at his studio in Hampstead.

Under Johnson’s tutelage he began producing historical genre scenes and in 1860 made his debut at the Royal Academy. He became a regular contributor at the RA with a total of 42 works shown until 1897. Many of his historical works were depictions of the Tudor period, often featuring notable figures of the time including Henry VIII, Mary Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I and Cardinal Wolsey. He also painted literary scenes including Ivanhoe and Don Quixote. Pott took great pains to ensure his settings were as historically accurate as possible and spent time at places such as Hardwick Hall to lend authenticity to his works.

He soon found success and critical acclaim which enabled him to marry Louisa Linder, the daughter of a Nottingham Lace manufacturer, on 28 April, 1864. The couple settled in Hampstead, London where they lived at 181 Adelaide Road. They went on to have several children together and one of their sons, Charles Linder Pott (1865-1909), also became an artist. In 1881, he moved with his family to 23 Marlborough Place, London and a few years later made his final move to 34 Sherriff Road in West Hampstead. As well as exhibiting at the RA, he also exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists where he became a member in 1890 and at the New English Art Club.

In addition to being an artist, Pott also became an officer in the Volunteer Force, attaining the rank of Major and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel for the 17th North Middlesex Volunteers. In 1894, he was awarded the Volunteer Officers’ Decoration (V.D.) by Queen Victoria.

Pott died at his home in West Hampstead on 1 August, 1898, aged 61. A special collection of his paintings were exhibited posthumously at the Nottingham City Art Museum in 1899. Examples of his work can be found in a number of public collections including the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum & Art Gallery, Harris Museum, Nottingham City Museum, Reading Museum, Royal Cornwall Museum, Sheffield Museum and the Towneley Hall Art Gallery.

© Benton Fine Art