Polo sketch

Bellows, George, 1882-1925 · 1921

Composed from sketches made several years before at the Gould estate, Lakewood, New Jersey. It is to Joseph B. Thomas we owe a vote of thanks for arranging this visit. (Bellows) / In a letter to his former Ohio State University English professor, Joseph Taylor, Bellows wrote: I've been making studies of the wealthy game polo as played by the ultra rich. And let me say that these ultra rich have nerve tucked under their vest pocket...The players are nice looking, moral looking. The horses are beautiful. I believe they brush their teeth and bathe them in goat's milk. It is a great subject to draw... In 1910, Bellows was invited by his neighbor and patron, Joseph B. Thomas, to visit the Goulding estate in Lakewood, New Jersey, and enjoy the polo matches. The artist was intrigued by the extravagant sport, and was to draw and paint the game many times in following years. (Mason)