LeRoy Neiman Auction Tomorrow

Leroy Neiman, 16.5" X 20.75" (visible image),  23.5" X 27.5" (framed), Acrylic on Paper



Leroy Neiman was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on June 8 1921 and died on June 20, 2012.  He spent the majority of his adult life living in New York. 

Just after World War II Neiman’s talent as a painter was recognized and he began painting sets for the Red Cross.  For a brief time, he studied at the St. Paul School of Art and then attended the Art Institute of Chicago on the G.I. bill.  In 1954, the artist began his long freelance career as an illustrator for Playboy Magazine, and beginning in 1960 he began traveling and painting sporting events throughout the world. These included The Kentucky Derby, The Masters, The Ryder Cup, The World Equestrian Games, and Wimbledon.  On many occasions he also created paintings of other types of athletes such as the boxer Muhammad Ali and basketball players such as Earl “The Pearl” Monroe, George McGinnis, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

 

Since his death, there have been few Neiman original works offered at auction.  Tomorrow, 2 original works will be offered at Heritage Auctions.  Each of these works is an original acrylic on paper depicting basketball players.  Each is estimated to bring in excess of $10,000.00.