Title: The Boxers
Artist: Mahonri Mackintosh Young (American, 1877-1957)
Date: Conceived in 1926, cast before 1931
Medium: Bronze with black patina
Dimensions: Height: 23 ¼ in. (59.1 cm) | Width: 28 ½ in. (72.4 cm) | Depth: 10 ¼ in. (26 cm)
Inscription: Copyrighted, numbered, and signed ‘© N°1/MAHONRI' on the base, bottom left; also with ‘CIRE PERDUE/F CARVILLANI’ foundry stamp on the base, at the rear left.
Description:
Mahonri Young’s The Boxers captures a pivotal moment in the fierce world of boxing, as one fighter dodges a punch, poised for a dramatic counter. This dynamic scene epitomizes Young’s fascination with the athleticism and energy of the working class, an interest that led him to be called the “George Bellows of American sculpture.” Conceived in 1926, this bronze piece reflects Young's commitment to realism and his deep appreciation for the intense, raw emotion of the sport. The contrasting postures of the boxers – one in the act of blocking and the other in a moment of tension – capture the instantaneous, fleeting nature of athletic contests. This work is a tribute to both the sport and the skill of the athlete, frozen in time.
In December 1926, while at the training quarters for prizefighters, Young persuaded French middleweight champion René Devos to pose for him. Young also hired an unnamed Black boxer as a model, using these two men as his subjects for a series of sculptures that celebrated the sport. The resulting works, including The Boxers, reflect his deep connection to the world of boxing and his understanding of the tension and emotion in the sport’s most intense moments.
Biographical Information:
Mahonri Mackintosh Young was born in 1877 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was the grandson of Brigham Young, the second president of the LDS Church and the first governor of Utah. Known for his powerful sculptures of athletes, especially boxers, Young’s work reflects his passion for capturing the human form in action. A gifted sculptor, Young achieved national acclaim for his depictions of athletic figures during the 1920s, creating a lasting legacy that aligns him with other great American artists of the period, such as George Bellows. He died in 1957, leaving behind a body of work that remains highly regarded in American sculpture.
Provenance:
- Collection of Ruth A. Yerion
- A bequest from the above in 1990
- The Brandywine Museum of Art, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania
This iconic work by Mahonri Young stands as a remarkable example of his unique contribution to American sculpture, both in style and in its portrayal of working-class life through the lens of athleticism.
