 | LeRoy Neiman, best known for his brilliantly colored, stunningly energetic images of sporting events and leisure activities, was probably the most popular living artist in the United States. He was one of the few artists of the 20th century whose name became a household word in millions of American homes. His art is unique, without any real comparison. It is art which become somewhat controversial because Neiman broke the barriers of many of the most hallowed assumptions of modern art history and contemporary criticism.
Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1921, Neiman studied briefly in St. Paul after serving in World War II. He moved to Chicago in the late 40's to study at the School of Art Institute of Chicago, where he also taught for 10 years, before moving to New York City in 1962.
Through his art, LeRoy Neiman explored contemporary leisure, all the pastimes and places people enjoy, and particularly the world of sports and the world of entertainment. LeRoy Neiman's style explodes with the dramatic intensity of Abstract Expressionist brush strokes, strokes that pick out action that is strikingly accurate. This unique combination is so appealing that Neiman brought art into the lives of more people than most post-war American artists put together.
Since 1970, LeRoy Neiman published hundreds of limited edition serigraphs which have become extremely sought after. He traveled and exhibited worldwide, from Moscow to Tokyo to Caracas. He published many books, and was honored with many awards for his art. His work is in the permanent collections of many museums including the Baltimore Museum of Fine Art, and Minneapolis Institute of Arts, the Museo de Bellas Artes in Caracas, the Hermitage in Leningrad, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Mr. Neiman passed away June 20, 2012. |
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