Lawn Tennis Club 1891

Curator: Let's delve into Frederick Arthur Bridgman's "Lawn Tennis Club" from 1891, executed in oil paint. I'm struck by how light catches on the ladies' dresses. What's your take on this painting? Editor: I am drawn in by the contrast of leisure with the action of the tennis game, it captures a social snapshot. But the sheer number of figures makes me wonder, what story is Bridgman trying to tell here? Curator: For me, this painting is less about a specific narrative and more about Bridgman’s portrayal of leisure and class through the very material of the piece and its implied social setting. Consider the cost of the oil paints themselves in 1891 and how this subject matter of ladies at leisure reinforces consumption. Where does Bridgman fit into that consumer chain? Does his participation in ‘orientalism’ speak to these ladies aspirations of foreign grandeur? Editor: So, the materiality connects to class and consumption of leisure activities? How does Bridgman’s choice to paint this en plein air affect that interpretation? Curator: Precisely. Painting en plein air—outdoors—suggests a certain level of resource and access. It speaks to the shift of how landscapes were produced in paintings, but that choice required specific resources and was further bolstered by a burgeoning industry catering to the artist. What considerations were these tennis players also undertaking in terms of fashion? Does that have anything to do with material? Editor: I see your point! It does change how I initially perceived the work. Curator: Bridgman provides insight to a social hierarchy in a leisure context, highlighting the links between artistry, consumption, and the means by which all are sustained through materials and practices. Editor: It’s amazing how examining the material aspects can uncover layers of meaning I hadn't considered before. It makes me think about art in a whole new light. Thanks for opening my eyes! Curator: Absolutely! Analyzing art through a materialist lens invites a deeper engagement, unveiling intricate connections between artistry, consumption, and social hierarchies.