Artwork
Tennis Tournament
Tennis Tournament is an oil painting by the Realist artist George Bellows. It dates from 1920 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
This scene looks pretty normal, but what's interesting is that it was painted in 1920, a time when tennis was becoming more popular.
The painting shows people playing tennis in a park with a big tree. This scene looks pretty normal, but what's interesting is that it was painted in 1920, a time when tennis was becoming more popular. The artist also paid attention to the clothing and gear of the players, which gives us a glimpse of what life was like back then. You can learn more about similar scenes by looking at the work of artist: Bellows, George.
Subject & Meaning
George Bellows's 1920 painting Tennis Tournament depicts an outdoor tennis match, with players on the court and spectators gathered around it amid trees, a scene drawn from the fashionable summer tournaments of the period. The composition combines the energy of the game with the social spectacle of the crowd, in keeping with Bellows's interest in modern leisure and sport.
Technique & Style
George Bellows executed Tennis Tournament in 1920 in oil paint on canvas. The work measures 149.8 cm in height and 167.6 cm in width. The medium and large scale are consistent with Bellows's practice of producing ambitious easel paintings in his later career.
History & Provenance
Tennis Tournament was painted by George Bellows in 1920 as an oil on canvas; no commission is recorded in the sources. After the artist's death in 1925 it passed to his wife, Emma S. Bellows, and her estate. In July 1969 it was acquired from H. V. Allison & Co. in New York by Paul Mellon of Upperville, Virginia, who donated it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., in 1983, where it remains. The available sources do not provide an accession number or exhibition history.
Overview
George Bellows's 1920 oil on canvas painting, Tennis Tournament, captures a vibrant outdoor scene. The artwork presents individuals engaged in a tennis match within a park setting, characterized by the presence of a prominent tree. This piece exemplifies Bellows's interest in depicting everyday American life and leisure activities during the early 20th century.
Context
Created in 1920, Tennis Tournament reflects a period when tennis was gaining significant traction as a popular sport. Bellows, known for his realist approach to depicting urban and social landscapes, observed and documented contemporary life. This painting serves as a visual record of evolving leisure activities and the increasing public engagement with sports during the post-World War I era in America.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
