Stag at Sharkey's
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
unframed: 92 × 122.6 cm · framed: 110 × 140.5 × 8.5 cm
Classification
Painting
Department
American Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Hinman B. Hurlbut Collection
Accession Number
1922.1133
Tags
About this artwork
Bellows was no stranger to Sharkey’s Athletic Club, a raucous saloon with a backroom boxing ring, located near his studio. Founded by Tom “Sailor” Sharkey, an ex-fighter who had also served in the US Navy, the club attracted men seeking to watch or participate in matches. Because public boxing was illegal in New York at the time, a private event had to be arranged in order for a bout to take place. Participation was usually limited to members of a particular club, but whenever an outsider compet...