Croquet Scene

Paper Summary:

In this essay, the writer looks at the painting 'Croquet Scene' which is one of a series of five paintings dedicated to the game of croquet. The writer explains that at the time of its creation in 1866, croquet was becoming extremely popular in America especially with the upper-middle class. Further, the writer points out that croquet was one of the only activities deemed socially acceptable for both men and women to compete as equals, and so the game offered a good opportunity for interesting compositions. The writer describes that in the painting, the woman in red is lifting the hem of her skirt to place a foot on the ball to "croquet" her opponent's ball off the playing field. The writer then notes that the man kneeling at her feet is reaching out to steady the ball for her, but it is unclear whether his intentions are chivalrous, or if he is performing this courtesy in hopes of getting a glimpse of the woman's ankle, which would have been considered highly erotic at the time. The writer discusses that the ambiguity of the composition makes the piece so much more than just an illustration.

From the Paper:

"The focal point of this painting is the croquet ball that the woman in red is about to place her foot on, and there are multiple ways that Homer has manipulated the visual elements of this work to draw the viewer's eye down to the ball. The ball itself is placed within the shadow of the woman in red, bringing the ball's light orange color into stark contrast with the background to where it practically glows. Also, the three standing figures of the women along with the stooping form of the man with the croquet mallet positioned at an inward angle in his hand act as a visual funnel, directing the eye down to the ball. Of course, not only is the figure of the man angled to help this funneling effect, but he is pointing down at the ball as he reaches for it. To reinforce the focal point even more, the largest figure in the foreground, the woman in blue, is pulling down her hat, creating a clean arrow from the swallow-tail sticking out the back of her hat to her elbow, which is pointed directly at the ball."

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