George Bellows, Stag at Sharkeys 1909I'm not a big boxing fan, but the energy and power of this painting is undeniable. I saw it at the Cleveland Museum of Art (and actually bought a poster reproduction). There's something about the way the intensity of the fighters is mirrored in the attention of the crowd that reveals some kind of primal bond that is fed by the ritualized violence. I always thought it was funny that boxing is nicknamed the "sweet science" as there is nothing that suggests either sweetness or intellectualism in an image like this one. At the same time, Bellows technique betrays a formal conception of framing and composition that almost inevitably leads the viewer to recognize a kind of artistic, academic beauty in the sweeping explosiveness of the action-- that is, we too have joined the ringside crowd in our utter fascination with what is unfolding within the ring.
2 comments:
A great feature of most classical painting is the the movement/ action it portrays. While I do not feel like I am joining the crowd (really don't like boxing) this painting does show an amazing moment frozen in time. I could see the movement and you can almost feel that punch about to be landed =)
Lil' Sis
Right, that's kind of what I meant in saying it places you in the arena, waiting to see what happens next, just like the other spectators.
Dr. John
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