Raoul Dufy

Sale: Christie’s London, 3 April 2003, lot 101 (illustrated)
Private collection, Geneva (acquired at the above sale)

F. Guillon-Laffaille, Catalogue raisonné des aquarelles, gouaches et pastels de Raoul Dufy, online catalogue, no. AS-1416 (illustrated), https://catalogue-raisonne-raoul-dufy.fr/oeuvres/le-match-de-boxe-a-londres/

This work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Fanny Guillon-Laffaille, dated 10 September 2002 (no. A02-1435). It is registered in the online catalogue raisonné under no. AS-1416.

Often attracted by sporting spectacles and prestigious events, Raoul Dufy executed several watercolour-based drawings of boxing matches at the Royal Albert Hall in London, most notably of the Italian heavyweight fighter Primo Carnera.^[1] On 18 December 1930, Dufy attended the bout between Carnera and his British opponent, Reggie Meen, who was defeated within two rounds (of the possible six). The contest was witnessed by approximately 10,000 spectators, of which Dufy registers in rows of figurative outlines that recede to mere dabs of the brush as the viewer’s eye is directed towards the upper registers of the work.

The swift brushstrokes and shadowing behind the two central boxers aid Dufy in realising the speed of the occasion and the intensity of the fighters. Carnera and Meen, alongside the referee and commentator below, are the only discernible figures – a somewhat traditional treatment for Dufy, whereby his focus lies solely on the subject matter rather than any peripheral detail.

A recording of this historic fight can be viewed online.

[1] Dufy’s range of interests and resulting compositions included those of horse racing at Ascot, Epsom, and Deauville (among other locations), the circus, weightlifting, sailing, musical concerts, ballet, opera, bullfighting, and many more.