Artwork

A Stag at Sharkey's

A Stag at Sharkey's, by George Bellows, 1916
A Stag at Sharkey's, by George Bellows, 1916

A Stag at Sharkey's is a print by George Bellows. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

A Stag at Sharkey's is a 1916 print by American artist George Bellows, known for his realistic depictions of urban life.

Subject & Meaning

The print shows two wrestlers in a tight grapple, surrounded by a tense crowd. The scene conveys the physicality and intensity of the match.

Technique & Style

Bellows uses strong contrasts of light and dark to emphasize the wrestlers, creating a sense of drama and focus. This chiaroscuro technique gives the figures a sculpted appearance, drawing the viewer's attention to the action in the ring.

Artist & collection

Portrait of George Bellows

Artist

George Bellows

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.