'Doubles Anyone?' by Robert Henri Pinchon (1948)

'Doubles Anyone?', India ink on art paper, by Robert Henri Pinchon (1948). For lovers of the game originally known as 'le Jeu de Paume', the contemporary word of tennis came into use in English in the mid-14th century from Old French, 'Tenez', which can be translated as "take!", a call from the server to his opponent indicating that he is about to serve.

This is a delightful ink drawing by a French artist whose authenticating authority (Atelier Robert Henri Pinchon) has applied its stamp and a signature verifying the authenticity of the work. It is difficult however, to find a bio on this artist as he is overshadowed by another, Robert Antoine Pinchon (apparently no relation), who died in 1943, and whose works sell for tens of thousands of dollars. The fact that Robert Henri had an authenticating body however, indicates his works were considered important and worthy of documentation. The location of 'Bellevue' referred to in the painting is most likely in Meudon, a small, leafy village in the southwestern suburbs of Paris. The city is known for many historic monuments and some extraordinary trees and now, of course, for its games of doubles tennis.

Dimensions with frame:

H 41 cm / 16.1"

W 51.5 cm / 20.3"

Dimensions without frame:

H 26.5 cm / 10.4"

W 37 cm / 14.6"