Thunder Bolt Pattson Rassler
Nellie Mae Rowe
American, 1900–1982
Details
Title
Thunder Bolt Pattson Rassler
Artist/Maker
Nellie Mae Rowe (American, 1900–1982)
Date
1968–1982
Medium
Crayon and pencil on paper
Dimensions
11 x 8 1/2 inches
Credit
Gift of Judith Alexander
Accession #
2003.225
Location
Currently not on view
Although Rowe associated art making with childhood, some of her themes were soundly adult. She created several works depicting her favorite athlete, Claude “Thunderbolt” Patterson, and other wrestlers. In one of her wrestling portraits, Patterson shows off his figure in a suggestive pose while looking invitingly at the viewer. Patterson is much more subdued in Untitled (Wrestling Ring), but his female companion (thought to be Rowe herself) leans against him coquettishly. Rowe decorates the base of the ring with a large chicken surrounded by eggs—perhaps a suggestion of the artist’s attraction to Patterson and her reproductive wishes.
Image Copyright
© Estate of Nellie Mae Rowe/High Museum of Art, Atlanta.