Sports & Leisure · 19th century
€ 220
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
very good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Small tears in upper and lower border, not touching the image. Please study scans carefully.
This finely detailed wood engraving, created by Bong after a design by St. Reichan around 1895, captures the elegance and leisurely charm of a Victorian-era lawn tennis gathering. The scene showcases the perfect blend of sport and sophistication that defined upper-class social life in the late 19th century.
Central to the composition is a seated group enjoying a break from the game, dressed in stylish Victorian attire. A woman holds a tennis racket as she converses with her companions, while a well-dressed man, complete with a rose pinned to his jacket, embodies the period's refined aesthetic. Nearby, a young boy with a hat and bag adds a familial and lighthearted touch to the scene.
In the background, tennis players in white engage in an energetic match on a perfectly manicured lawn, with a crimson parasol providing shade for onlookers. The carefully rendered details in the engraving highlight the textures of the clothing, the movement of the players, and the lush greenery of the setting.
This artwork is not only a beautiful representation of Victorian fashion and leisure but also a testament to the cultural rise of lawn tennis during the late 19th century. The meticulous wood engraving technique, combined with hand coloring, brings vibrancy and life to this historical moment.
An ideal piece for collectors of Victorian art, sporting history, or those with an interest in 19th-century societal trends, this engraving offers a captivating glimpse into a bygone era where elegance and recreation intertwined seamlessly.
