[Four Pugilists with a Bottle at Their Feet]

1870–80s
Not on view
With feet shoulder-length apart and arms raised in what can be called a fisticuffs stance, the pugilists in the foreground look directly at each other. The bottle at their feet alludes to the important role of the bottleholder. This person is meant to assist and support the active pugilist by readily supplying water during a boxing match. Wearing identical uniforms and hand-colored belts, the four pugilists appear as though they could easily switch roles, precluding those in the background from being in the perpetual supporting role.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title:
    [Four Pugilists with a Bottle at Their Feet]
  • Artist:
    Unknown (American)
  • Date:
    1870–80s
  • Medium:
    Tintype with applied color
  • Dimensions:
    Image: 11.3 x 8.2 cm (4 7/16 x 3 1/4 in.)
    Mat: 14 x 11 cm (5 1/2 x 4 5/16 in.)
  • Classification:
    Photographs
  • Credit Line:
    Bequest of Herbert Mitchell, 2008
  • Object Number:
    2015.400.184
  • Curatorial Department: Photographs

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