Lawn Tennis c. 1913

Allen Lewis made this etching, called Lawn Tennis, on a plate sometime in the early 20th century. It's a scene rendered in countless tiny, scratchy marks, a labor-intensive process, but also one that invites a lot of play and improvisation. Look at the hillside behind the figures. The lines are denser here, creating an area of deep shadow that really anchors the composition. And then notice the lighter, sketchier marks that define the figures themselves. There is a dynamism to the strokes, suggesting movement, the very fleeting energy of children at play. I love the fact that Lewis used such a painstaking process to depict something so free and spontaneous. In a way, it reminds me of some of Bonnard's intimate domestic scenes. Both artists share a fascination with capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life, finding beauty in the ordinary. Ultimately, this piece is about seeing and allowing yourself to get lost in its textures and rhythms.