George Bellows, Dempsey and Firpo

 Let's have a complete change for this week!   Here is one of a series of paintings done by American artist, George Bellows.  Dempsey and Firpo is part of the collection of the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.  It was painted in 1924, is 51" x 63", and is an oil on canvas.
   This was an actual prizefight that occurred on September 14, 1923.  Jack Dempsey was the American heavyweight champion and Luis Angel Firpo was his Argentine rival.  The bout was only 4 minutes in length with Dempsey knocked down twice and Firpo 9 times; Dempsey being declared the winner.
   In this image, Bellow records a moment when Firpo knocks Dempsey out of the ring. Looking on to our extreme left is Bellows, himself; the man with the balding head.
    I have looked at a few of these Bellow prizefight images and I find all amazing.  Bellows' talent at recording a second of action, a second of time is so fabulous.  What should be a period of complete chaos is completely organized, a study in perfect composition.  Notice all the parallel movement created by the horizontal lines of the ropes and mat.  The leg and arms of the two fighters and the man center left, are contrasted by more subtle lines creating an X shape right down the center.  And, here again, the center of attention, the focal area is dead center. 
  Make art a part of your day, its a beautiful thing to do!

Comments

  1. charguthNovember 12, 2019 at 6:30 PM

    Even with a photograph, this composition would be impossible without his amazing skill. Not a fan of the subject, but his talent is undeniable.

    ReplyDelete

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