Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter"

1896

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Portrait

Dominant colour

Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter" is a 1896 by Leslie Matthew (Spy) Ward, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Leslie Matthew (Spy) Ward
When & what style?: 1896 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

A muscular man in a sleeveless shirt and baggy pants stands mid-pose, fists raised in boxing gloves. His face is serious, with a mustache and a confident smirk. The background is plain, focusing all attention on him. The gloves look worn, and his legs are wide apart, ready to move. This cartoon-style drawing was made for *Vanity Fair*, a magazine that often featured sharp, funny portraits. The title "Hard Hitter" hints at his tough personality. Next, check out The Cleveland Museum of Art to see where this print is kept.