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Portrait of a Tennis Player (circa 1792)

Offered by: Arader Galleries

Description
Provenance: Private collection, Bordentown, NJ

This portrait of a tennis player, also known as paumier (lit. palm player, before the use of rackets), probably repre- sents a master-player, in other words a professor, referee, or championship organizer, who would have been respon- sible for the stringing of the rackets and shaping of the balls. It could also be the portrait of a champion. We know of other such portraits, like that of Antoine-Henry Masson (1735-1793), who went to play in England, a country that quickly became very keen on this sport and the prime manufacturer of rackets: he was painted there around
1769, by John Hamilton Mortimer. There is also a portrait of Guillaume Barcellon (circa 1726 - 1790), member of an important dynasty of tennis players, shown in the oil wearing a wig and holding his new racket, the latest model featuring a flat top and concave corners; this portrait, by Etienne Loys (1724 - 1788), is dated to 1753, year of Barcellon's nomination as Tennis Player of the King (Wimbeldon, Lawn Tennis Museum).

Tennis was a widely played sport in France since the Middle Ages, and became particular popular between 1550 and 1700, a period when no less than two hundred and fifty courts in Paris could be counted (and at times more than twelve in the provincial towns). But by 1789, only fifteen courts and twenty-nine high level players were left in Paris.

The oil, probably painted around 1792 and likened to La Neuville's work by Pierre Rosenberg, imposes itself as a superb icon of the sport. Its similarity with the portrait of Michaud (#17) is quite striking - same gray background, same direct presence - but the intricate, almost affected costume in the Michaud oil is obviously very different from the freer, more natural appearance of the sportsman in this oil, shown here as if he had just stopped playing.

The bright red jumper, typical of La Neuville, is particularly striking, with its dark and elegant lining, echoes the cheekbones and lips of the model. The rolled-up sleeve is also extremely well rendered.

More Information

Period:	18th Century
Materials:	Oil on canvas
Styles / Movements:	Other
Incollect Reference #:	98515

Dimensions

W.	21.75 in;	H.	25.75 in;
W.	55.25 cm;	H.	65.41 cm;

Message from Seller:

Founded in 1971, Arader Galleries is the world's leading dealer and auction house of Rare Maps, Prints, Rare Books and Watercolors of the 16th through 19th centuries. Over our forty-five year history we have grown to five magnificent locations in some of America’s most vibrant cities and are represented at the most distinguished antiques shows in the country. We are proud to buy and sell more original Audubon prints that any other firm in the United States.