The Game of the Year

Ithell Colquhoun had built a good reputation as a female surrealist painter in the 1940s, in a world dominated by male artists.

Her symmetrical composition emphasises the two sides of a football match, with inverted colours, like those of opposing teams. The background structure appears to suggest both a player, perhaps heading a ball, and a trophy, reinforcing an interpretation that this work was inspired by the 1953 FA Cup final.

Although this work was not included in the Football and Fine Arts exhibition there can be little doubt that it was submitted to, or inspired by the competition.