Dempsey Through the Ropes
Dempsey and Firpo (1924), also known as Dempsey Through the Ropes, is an oil painting by George Bellows. It shows a moment in the Sept. 14, 1923, boxing match between American heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey and Argentine challenger Luis Firpo when Firpo knocked Dempsey out of the ring. Dempsey would come back to win the match.
- Spend a quiet minute or two looking at the artwork. Then, describe what you see. What part stands out the most?
- Write two adjectives that describe the feeling, mood, or atmosphere created in this painting.
- Choose a person, a color, or a lighting element that catches your eye and explain a symbolic meaning that item/element could hold.
- Thinking about the subject matter, mood, and symbolic element/s you’ve noticed, what’s a reasonable message this painting delivers to the viewer?
- This painting was created from the viewpoint of a spectator in the crowd. How does this perspective impact the message of the painting?
- If you were asked by Bellows’ representative to give this painting a new name, what name would you choose? Explain your reasoning.
Sample Answer
Description and Focal Point:
- The painting depicts a chaotic and dynamic scene of a boxing match. The central focus is the moment Jack Dempsey is hurled through the ropes, his body contorted in mid-air. Luis Firpo stands dominant in the ring, his posture conveying power. The surrounding crowd is a mass of blurred faces and limbs, creating a sense of frenzied excitement. The ropes of the ring are prominently visible, acting as a barrier between the action and the viewer.
- The part that stands out the most is the contrast between Dempsey’s vulnerable, almost falling posture, and Firpo’s strong dominant stance. This contrast is very dramatic.