The Ardent Bowlers America, 20th century

The Ardent Bowlers

1932

Peggy Bacon

(American, 1895–1987)

America, 20th century

etching

Platemark: 15 x 35.3 cm (5 7/8 x 13 7/8 in.); Sheet: 25.5 x 45.3 cm (10 1/16 x 17 13/16 in.)

Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1932.323

Catalogue raisonné: Flint 108

Location: not on view

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Did You Know?

In early 20th-century America, bowling was one of the few sporting pastimes in which both men and women could participate.

Description

By the 1910s, there were hundreds of public bowling alleys in New York City, usually in the basements of saloons. In this image, Peggy Bacon focused on the mix of genders and imbibing of alcohol associated with the sport. The work features 17 of Bacon’s friends, all artists, partaking in their regular Wednesday night recreation. Reginald Marsh is shown at the far left, and Bacon included a self-portrait at the lower center (with her back to the viewer). Having studied under both George Bellows and John Sloan at the Art Students League, Bacon was one of a growing number of women who sought independence and professional success in America’s cities.