Behind the Artist: LeRoy Neiman
The worlds of fine art and sports don’t commonly collide. To American artist LeRoy Neiman, however, the culture of athleticism was a dynamic masterpiece.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1921, Neiman’s artistic style was equally dynamic, articulate, and celebratory. As one of the most renowned artists of the 20th and 21st century, Neiman captured the intensity and essence of sports using vibrant primary colors, spontaneous brushstrokes, and the subtle tones of Impressionism. Known for his handlebar mustache, cigars, and flamboyant white suits, Neiman exuded style on and off the canvas.
LeRoy Neiman
Neiman’s artwork has been the subject of more than 200 solo exhibitions and 100 group exhibitions organized by esteemed museums. These include the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Carnegie Institute of Art, and a dual exhibition alongside Andy Warhol at the Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art in 1981.
Neiman served as a member of the New York City Advisory Commission for Cultural Affairs from 1995 until his death in 2012. He received the Award of Merit from the American Athletic Union in 1976, and a Gold Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1977. The artist is also renowned for his charitable efforts, providing donations to Columbia University and the School of the Art Institute in Chicago.
For more information on LeRoy Neiman, below are three details exploring the contemporary artist’s fascinating life.
Forays into Sports Art
“Indoor Cycling” (1979), LeRoy Neiman
In 1960, Neiman began to travel the world and paint depictions of the Olympics, the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Masters, and more. Neiman found a niche between fine art and sports, a talent few had mastered. His fast-moving strokes, which gave the illusion of movement, became an instantly recognizable facet of Neiman’s style and technique.
“For an artist, watching a (Joe) Namath throw a football or a Willie Mays hit a baseball is an experience far more overpowering than painting a beautiful woman or leading political figure,” Neiman said.
His journey into sports art culminated in creating artwork for the “Rocky” films. In “Rocky III,” at the end of the credits, one can view a painting by Neiman depicting Rocky and Apollo Creed landing punches on each other. In fact, the artist was given a cameo role in the series. Neiman was cast as the ring announcer in “Rocky III,” “Rocky IV,” and “Rocky V.” The artist and his signature cigar and mustache can be seen in “Rocky III” here and here.
Inspired by Impressionists
“Place de la Concorde” (2006), LeRoy Neiman
Neiman was inspired by the French Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, including Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Edgar Degas, whose art reflected public life. Neiman often painted or sketched live on television, interpreting the drama of sporting events as millions watched live.
Painting in social settings became an important aspect of Neiman’s oeuvre, setting him apart from other artists.
An Olympic Legend
“Nanago 2005 Special Olympics” (2003), LeRoy Neiman
A long-standing relationship with the Olympics cemented Neiman’s artistic legacy. He created art for the Winter Games in Squaw Valley in 1960 then went on to paint for Munich in 1972, Montreal in 1976, Lake Placid in 1980, and Los Angeles in 1984. His Olympic body of work served as the catalyst for Neiman’s art to be collected on an international level.
Neiman’s Olympic creations hold a timeless spot in the heart of both sports fans and fine art connoisseurs alike. One could argue that these works were the defining works of Neiman’s career, establishing his legacy as one of the world’s greatest fine artists.
To add art by LeRoy Neiman to your collection, attend one of our live online auctions or contact our gallery consultants at (800) 521-9654 ext. 4 or (248) 354-2343 (international) during business hours or sales@parkwestgallery.com after hours.
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