Ashton Bellefeuille

Art 394

04/3/2024

LeRoy Neiman

1. A visual illustration or digital image of the art, and the website sources where you
got your information. 2 points

https://www.leroyneiman.com/product/tyson-vs-holyfield/

2. Artwork and Artist’s Background, 8 points: This section needs to include the name,
date, and period of the artwork. Name of the artist, date, and location of their birth.
Where they lived, worked (if different from place of birth) and studied. Any other
personal information that you feel might be pertinent to know about the artist’s
background.
1. The title of this piece of art is “Tyson vs. Holyfield” by LeRoy Neiman. This
piece of art was painted in 1996 after the first bout between Mike Tyson and
Evander Holyfield. LeRoy Neiman was born in St. Paul, MN on June 8 th, 1921.
 As a child he was very intrigued with art and would even draw ink tattoos on
classmates’ forearms for some spare change. In 1942, he was drafted by the
US Army and served as a cook. After service, Neiman returned to Minnesota
and attended the St. Paul School of Art before switching to the School of the
Art Institute of Chicago. After his schooling, Neiman got a job as an illustrator
for a magazine, as well as painted murals for playboy clubs around the nation.
LeRoy is best known for his colorful paintings of sports. He is one of the first
artist to enter the field of sports painted. Over his time painting, he had the
opportunity to paint some of the most famous sporting events, as well as
athletes and moments.
3. Major Accomplishments of the Artist, 10 points: Why are they famous? What are
they best known for? Did they receive any awards or honors? Did they invent any
new techniques or materials?
1. LeRoy is most known for his colorful sports drawings. His paintings are famous
because they weren’t many artists known that had captured sports moments
as well as he was able to. LeRoy was the official artis for 5 world Olympic
games beginning in 1972. He was an artist, but also a showman. He was easily
recognizable by his handlebar mustache and thick cigar. Although LeRoy did
not invent any new way of painting, he opened up the sports would to the
idea of capturing moments with an easel and paintbrush. Along with working
alongside some of the greatest athletes amongst the greatest moment, LeRoy
did receive some awards for his work. He received the Lifetime Achievement
Award from the Dystrophy Association. He also received the Award of Merit
from the American Athletic Union. The third award he received was the Gold
Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
4. What made their work unique or how did this piece change the direction of art? 10
points: How did their work effect art history? How was this piece culturally significant
to the time period? How did it influence other artists? Why is the piece of art still
considered important today?
1. This piece of art itself has little impact on art history, but it is the whole
painting collection of captivating moments, incredible events, and once in a
lifetime athletes that make his art significant. Before LeRoy, there were little
to no artist who prioritized sports quite the way he did. He truly opened the
door for other artist who shared the same interests as him. It was a way to
bond sports with art. These two subjects are often seen as complete opposite,
yet he found a way to captivate both sides and create beautiful pieces of art
with them. Not only did he influence artist by showing them that they can
make art of what interests them, but also supports them along their journey.
The LeRoy Neiman Foundation supports programs that are supporting the
advancement of arts education. His pieces of art live on today as they can be
found throughout many museums and galleries across the country, along with
in educational programs he and his wife created.
5. How could you use this piece of art in the classroom? 10 points: Give me an idea for
a unit, lesson, or project that this piece of art could be used in. Are there any themes
this artwork relates to? How could you introduce this artwork to kids in your class to
get them excited about art history?
1. An idea to where a teacher could implement this into a lesson could be when
teaching about Minnesota history. When listing famous people from
Minnesota, we have athletes (Joe Mauer), Singers (Prince), Charles Lindbergh,
and to include another field to connect students you can mention LeRoy
Neiman as an artist who captured epic events throughout his lifetime. I think
his works of art could best be used to get young athletes excited about art.
Many people would never associate the two subjects being able to be
intertwined the way LeRoy was able to. Showing them his pieces of art could
open a new opportunity for them to use their creative minds to create new
images of how the art world and sports world collide.