Why did artist choose to paint study of match between Palace and Oxford United?

 

Who is taking the throw? Anyone hazard a guess?

CAN anyone recall a match - thought to have been played at Selhurst Park - between Palace and Oxford United?

It features in a painting that is set to go under the hammer on December 13 in a sale being conducted by the London auction house, Bonhams.

Curiously, centre stage is not so much the on-pitch action as a steward - or, rather, a back view of a steward?

When was the match played? What was the result? What is the identity of the steward? Who are the ball boys? And who (Number 3) is taking in the throw-in for Palace?   

Another mystery. How did the artist, Austrian-British Hans Schwarz come to be at the match? Was he a Palace fan?

It is too late to ask him because he died, aged 81, in 2003.

The guide price for the 49.5 x 71cm (19.5 x 28 in) painting is £1,500-2,000, and it looks likely to be met and even exceeded.

According to Bonhams, online bidding had already reached £1,400 four days before the date of the sale.