84. George Bellows (American, 1882-1925)

"The White Hope".
lithograph, 1921, matted.
signed by the lithographer in pencil lower right margin, "Bolton Brown-imp," signed by the artist in pencil lower left margin, "Geo Bellows."
15" x 18-3/4" (image).
18-1/4" x 22-5/8" (sheet).

3,000/5,000     

The subjects depicted in "The White Hope" are likely Jack Johnson, an African American heavyweight champion, and Jim Jeffries, known as "the white hope." The contest recorded in this image is probably their 1910 Reno, Nevada bout. Bellows depicts the concluding moments of the fight--while Johnson seems eager to continue, the referee, with a finely controlled gesture, gives Jeffries what appears to be the final count.

Literature:
George Bellows His Lithographs, Emma S. Bellows compiler, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1928.

Condition: paper discolored, mat window marks, glued paper residues around perimeter on reverse, 1-7/8" margins top, right, bottom, 2" margin left.