The artwork titled “Amateur Football on the Boston Common, Boston, Massachusetts, 1909,” was created by renowned artist Lewis Hine in the year 1909. This piece of art, belonging to the Social Realism movement, is a photograph that captures a moment of everyday life.
In the artwork, a group of young boys is seen engaged in a game of amateur football on the Boston Common. The scene takes place in what appears to be a recreational area surrounded by grand, multi-storied buildings and lush trees, indicative of an urban park setting. The photograph captures the spontaneous energy and youthful exuberance of the boys as they partake in their game. The backdrop of stately buildings juxtaposed against the vibrancy of the children playing offers a compelling snapshot of early 20th century urban life. The composition and detail in the photograph highlight the period’s architectural style and the community’s interaction with public spaces, reflecting the essence of Social Realism in documenting the human condition.
