LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012)

Westchester Classic

Offset lithograph

Signed in ink to lower right

Visible 21 7/8 in. x 28 1/16 in., framed to 23 5/8 in. x 29 7/8 in. 

LeRoy Neiman captures a scene from the Westchester Classic in 1979. This lithograph bears the familiar style of Neiman - a scene from contemporary social life with bright colors and powerful movement. A golfer wearing a red shirt is in a sand pit, lining up his club for a perfect shot. While he stands alone, a great throng of onlookers is crowded nearby, their chatter and attention captured in flurried strokes.

Leroy Neiman’s (1921-2012) vibrant expressionist paintings are well-known, documenting the leisure and social life of his contemporaries, as well as popular sporting events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl, and the Kentucky Derby. Considered to be one of the first major sports artists around the world, Neiman’s illustrious career began during WWII, where he spent the duration of his service working as a cook. His artistic talents were discovered, and Neiman was finally put to use as an artist, painting sets for Red Cross shows. After the war, Neiman continued to pursue his art, studying art at the St. Paul School of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on the G.I. bill. While he held teaching positions and worked freelance gigs after his graduation, a fortuitous encounter with Hugh Hefner would change the outlook of his career. After illustrating an edition of the magazine, Neiman would go on to be a contributing artist for Playboy magazine for nearly 50 years, developing key characters that would fill the pages of the popular magazine.  

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

[Art, Folk Art, Military Art, Etching, Engraving, Lithographs, Prints, Ephemera]