Artwork
Between Rounds, large, first stone
Between Rounds, large, first stone is an ink print by George Bellows. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1916, Between Rounds, large, first stone is a black-and-white lithograph by American artist George Bellows. It captures a pause in a boxing match, focusing on the physical and emotional stillness between rounds. The print’s monochrome palette and bold contrasts emphasize the raw atmosphere of the ring, reflecting Bellows’ interest in urban life and physical struggle.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts two boxers in a ring: one slumped on a stool, exhausted, the other bracing against the ropes. Spectators lean in from the edges, their presence amplifying the tension. The moment is neither victory nor defeat, but a fragile pause—highlighting the human cost of competition. The modestly placed title underscores the transient nature of rest within a violent ritual.
Technique & Style
Bellows employed lithography to achieve sharp, angular lines and deep shadows, enhancing the drama of the scene. The medium allowed for dense blacks and stark contrasts, lending the image a gritty, almost sculptural quality. His handling of form avoids idealization, instead rendering bodies and crowds with a sense of immediacy and physical weight.
History & Provenance
This print was produced as the first stone in a series of boxing-themed lithographs Bellows made in 1916. It was part of a broader effort to translate his popular oil paintings into accessible prints. The work was likely distributed through commercial print channels, reaching audiences beyond gallery-goers and reinforcing Bellows’ reputation for depicting contemporary American life.
Context
In early 20th-century America, boxing was both popular entertainment and a subject of moral debate. Bellows’ prints emerged amid growing public interest in urban sports and the lives of working-class athletes. His focus on the quiet moments of combat offered a counterpoint to sensationalized portrayals, grounding the spectacle in human vulnerability.
Legacy
Between Rounds contributed to the recognition of printmaking as a serious medium for social observation. Bellows’ lithographs influenced later artists who sought to capture the energy and tension of modern life. The work remains a key example of how print techniques could convey psychological depth without color or embellishment.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Wesley Bellows (August 12 or August 19, 1882 – January 8, 1925) was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City.
