The artwork titled “Athletes” was created by Alex Colville in the year 1960. Exhibiting characteristics of Contemporary Realism, it belongs to the genre painting category. Thematically, the artwork captures the essence of athletic endeavor through meticulous representation.
The artwork is presented in three distinct panels depicting different sports activities. The leftmost panel features a swimmer poised to dive into the water, portraying a moment of anticipation and readiness. The central panel illustrates the high jump, capturing an athlete in mid-air suspended above the bar, emphasizing motion and the grace of athletic performance. The rightmost panel portrays a sprinter, wearing all white, seemingly completing a race with a look of triumph or exhaustion. The background across all panels is minimalistic, focusing the viewer’s attention on the athletes and their movements. The painting exudes meticulous attention to detail and a serene color palette, emblematic of Colville’s style and the era’s realism movement.
