Anonymous
"English Cricket" Contemporary Figurative Sport Painting, Batsman, 2022
oil on canvas
45ʺH × 3ʺD × 33ʺW
'English Cricket Contemporary Figurative Sport Painting Framed III' captures the perfect moment of a batsman executing the elegant cover drive, cricket's most revered stroke. The player, poised in crisp whites...
"English Cricket Contemporary Figurative Sport Painting Framed III" captures the perfect moment of a batsman executing the elegant cover drive, cricket's most revered stroke. The player, poised in crisp whites and protective gear, connects with the red ball as it leaves his bat in a moment of athletic grace. Set against a dreamlike backdrop of blue sky and an impressionistic stadium filled with spectators, the painting conveys both the solitude and public spectacle of cricket. The artist masterfully renders the tension in the batsman's form—the balanced stance, the turn of the shoulders, and the focused concentration that reveals the technical precision required in this quintessential gentleman's sport.
Ah the gentleman's game of cricket! The Batsman hitting a sqaure cut. That MRF logo on the bat of an Indian sponsor. A "square cut" in cricket is a specific type of shot played by a batsman against a short-pitched delivery, typically bowled outside the off stump. Key Characteristics:
- Shot Type: It's a horizontal bat shot, meaning the bat is swung in a near-horizontal plane.
- Ball Position: The ball is usually short and wide of the off stump, allowing the batsman room to play the shot.
- Bat Angle: The bat's face is angled to direct the ball towards the square region of the field (behind the batsman on the off side).
- Footwork: The batsman often moves slightly across their stumps to create space and get into a position to play the shot.
- Timing: Precise timing is crucial for a successful square cut. The batsman aims to hit the ball late, just as it's passing them.
- Direction: The ball is typically directed between the point and third man fielders, in the area known as "square of the wicket" on the off side.
- Aggression: It's often an aggressive shot, designed to score runs quickly.
In essence: The batsman uses the pace of the ball, coupled with a well-timed, angled bat swing, to slice the ball away to the square boundary. It's a shot that requires good hand-eye coordination and the ability to judge the length and line of the delivery quickly.
About Artwork: English Cricket Contemporary Figurative Sport Painting Framed III
Created in 2022, this oil on canvas measures 45ʺH × 33ʺW × 3ʺD including its museum-quality gold frame with cream linen matting. The composition celebrates cricket's most beautiful shot—the cover drive—capturing the perfect balance of power and finesse that makes this stroke so admired by aficionados of the game. The artist's technique combines realistic rendering with atmospheric elements, particularly evident in the textured brushwork of the playing surface and the ethereal quality of the sky. The golden frame enhances the painting's color palette, drawing out the warmth in the earthy pitch against the cool blues of the stadium and sky. When displayed, this piece brings the refined excitement of cricket into a space, resonating with sports enthusiasts and those who appreciate the cultural significance of this centuries-old game. The visible "MRF" logo on the bat adds authenticity to the scene, grounding this artistic interpretation in the real world of professional cricket.
