The ancient game (1911)

We invite you to delve into the charming essence of early 20th-century leisure depicted in Samuel Ehrhart's 1911 painting, "The Ancient Game". This artwork showcases a serene moment shared between a young man and woman, set against a pastoral backdrop. The composition resides within a rounded frame, emphasizing a vignette-like quality that evokes the sense of peeking into a private scene.The gentleman, dressed in a vivid red hunting coat with green accents and a traditional flat cap, holds a golf club and ball, signaling a pause in their game. His companion, an elegantly dressed lady in a black outfit highlighted with a white fur stole and sporting a stylish hat, leans close, sharing a moment of conversation or perhaps seeking advice on the game.Their expressions and proximity suggest a closeness or camaraderie, characteristic of the era’s social mores, where sports often provided a backdrop for more personal interactions and relationships to blossom. The soft pastel background with trees and distant hills adds a tranquil harmony to the scene, complementing the refined and leisurely pursuit depicted.Ehrhart's use of color and detailed illustration not only captures the fashion and social interaction of the time but also reflects the popularity of golf as a genteel sport that transcended mere physical activity to become a social event.