Tennis At Newport 1920

George Bellows made this scene of "Tennis At Newport" with oil on canvas, and looking at it, I can just imagine him trying to capture the buzz and the energy of the crowds. The way Bellows built the forms here is pretty wild. It's like he's sculpting with the brush, pushing and pulling the paint to create shapes. Look how he's laid down the greens of the lawn and foliage against the figures in light summer whites; it's not so much about details as it is about capturing a mood, an atmosphere. There's a real sense of spontaneity. I can almost see Bellows quickly dabbing and stroking the canvas, trying to keep up with the movement of the players and the reactions of the audience. You get the feeling he's trying to wrangle the whole chaotic scene into some kind of order, but without losing the sense of immediacy. It reminds me of some of Manet’s outdoor scenes and the way he tried to capture the fleeting moments of modern life. It’s as if Bellows is having a conversation with the past while making something totally new.