Artwork

University Cricket Match at Lords

University Cricket Match at Lords, by George Louis Palmella Busson Du Maurier, 1862
University Cricket Match at Lords, by George Louis Palmella Busson Du Maurier, 1862

University Cricket Match at Lords is a print by the Impressionist artist George Louis Palmella Busson Du Maurier. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Notice how the artist packed so many figures into one scene without missing a detail.

This sketch shows a packed crowd watching a cricket match. Players are scattered across the field—some running, others batting or bowling. In the foreground, spectators sit on benches, chatting and cheering. A few men in tall hats stand nearby, while kids play in the background.

Notice how the artist packed so many figures into one scene without missing a detail. The lines are loose but full of energy, making the chaos feel alive.

Want to see more by this artist? Check out George Louis Palmella Busson Du Maurier (British, 1834–1896).

Overview

University Cricket Match at Lords is an 1862 print by George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier, a French-British artist known for his illustrations and novels. The work captures a lively scene of a cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a moment in a university cricket match, highlighting the sport's social and competitive aspects during the Victorian era. The crowded scene conveys the excitement and communal nature of the event.

Technique & Style

Du Maurier's loose, energetic lines animate the chaotic scene, successfully integrating numerous figures without clutter. The technique imparts a sense of dynamism to the illustration.

History & Provenance

Created in 1862, this work reflects du Maurier's early career as an illustrator, notably with *Punch*, before gaining fame as a novelist (*Trilby*). The artist's dual career spanned illustration and literature.

Context

The print is set within the Victorian-era sporting and social landscape, where cricket matches like this one at Lord's were integral to British leisure and university culture.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of *University Cricket Match at Lords* are not highlighted, du Maurier's overall body of work contributed to the Victorian illustrated press and literary canon.

Artist & collection

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