The Art of Play

Dec, 08, 2020

Art

The Art of Play

2020 has been a tough year—there’s no doubt about it. And while serious conversations and self-reflections are good, important, and necessary, we are reminded that we must remember to refresh and re-energize ourselves after changes both big and small. We are reminded that we must remember to play.

To bring a sense of fun and whimsy to your day, we’ve compiled a selection of artworks from our collection that explore themes of sport and competition, theater and dance, daydreaming and make-believe. Enjoy these depictions of dreamscapes, a polo match, children at play, a rousing game of checkers, and more, and let them inspire you to inject some playful moments into your daily life.

FROM THE COLLECTION

European Children Playing Games (1870) by Utagawa Yoshikazu

Utagawa Yoshikazu, European Children Playing Games, 1870. Woodblock print. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Read Mullan.

Tomorrow World (2001) by Torben Giehler

Dream (1994) by Katherine Bowling

Katherine Bowling, Dream, 1994. Oil, spackle, wood. Gift of the artist.

Jacket for a Sport Suit (20th century)

Unknown, Sport Suit, 20th century. Silk. Gift of Mrs. Kelly Ellman.

Radha and Krishna Dancing in Temple with Musicians (19th century), India

Unknown, Radha and Krishna Dancing in Temple with Musicians, 19th century. Ink and color on paper. Gift of Drs. Thomas and Martha Carter.

Portrait of Clara Hall (The Tea Party) (1873) by Eastman Johnson

Scene from Noh Play (undated) by Kogyo Tsukioka

Kogyo Tsukioka, Scene from Noh Play, not dated. Woodblock print. Gift of Roger Dunn.

Blue Cube 48 (2006) by Marta Chilindrón

Marta Chilindrón, Cubo azul 48 (Blue Cube 48), 2006. Twin wall Polycarbonate. Gift of Nicholas Pardon. Image courtesy of Nicholas Pardon.

Polo Game (1938) by Peter Hurd

Checkers Up at the Farm (1875) by John Rogers

The Game (1976) by Philip C. Curtis

Juego de líneas (Line Game) (1964) by Carlos Mérida

Carlos Mérida, Juego de líneas (Line Game), 1964. Watercolor. Gift of Mr. Edward Jacobson. © 2020 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

Baseball Illustration (1889) by Edward Windsor Kemble

Eighteenth Century French Music Room (1940-1960) by Narcissa Niblack Thorne