Artwork

Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter"

Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter", by Leslie Matthew (Spy) Ward, 1896
Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter", by Leslie Matthew (Spy) Ward, 1896

Vanity Fair: "Hard Hitter" is a print by the Impressionist artist Leslie Matthew (Spy) Ward. It dates from 1896 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1896 by Leslie Matthew Ward, 'Vanity Fair: Hard Hitter' is a print housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1896 by Leslie Matthew Ward, 'Vanity Fair: Hard Hitter' is a print housed in The Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a muscular, confident figure in a boxing pose.

Subject & Meaning

The subject, a muscular man with a mustache and confident smirk, embodies toughness, as suggested by the title 'Hard Hitter'. His attire and worn boxing gloves emphasize his role as a formidable boxer.

Technique & Style

Executed in a cartoon-style drawing, the piece features a plain background to focus attention on the subject. The overall aesthetic aligns with the sharp, humorous portrait style characteristic of *Vanity Fair* magazine.

History & Provenance

Originally created for *Vanity Fair* in 1896, the print is now part of The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

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.