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Bob Peak
Boxing Scene. Vanquished Boxer in his Corner. Sports Illustrated Boxing Story

1961

$15,000
£11,323.82
€13,069.09
CA$21,165.35
A$23,585.24
CHF 12,281.22
MX$284,640.14
NOK 153,973.60
SEK 145,485.25
DKK 97,555.75

About the Item

There are a lot of people in the art world today who dismiss illustrators are being commercial solely because the artists identified as being commercial artists and that the work was done on assignment. Sadly these art world people have limited imagination and a restricted sense of curiosity. This boxing illustration/painting was done for Sports Illustrated yet can hang in any world-class museum. Here Peak captures the energy of a sports moment with art work that straddles the line between representation and abstraction. It was 1961, and the fine art world was in the throes of Abstract Expressionism. Bob Peak was never an artist who just mechanically represented of the world around them. The concept of art as a process, like that of Willem de Kooning or Franz Kline on full display with brush strokes as quick and fast as a right hook. Although it may appear abstract initially, it is still grounded in deep academic training. All the figures are correct anatomically and rendered with perspective. It is abstract but not chaotic. Peak's interwoven composition of arms, legs, and figures is quite impressive. Bob Peak, in my opinion, was the Norman Rockwell of post-war American Illustration, this is one of the works that paved the way for a new way of seeing. It's more fine art than commercial art. For Apocalypse Now, in 1979, Francis Ford Coppola could have hired any artist in the world to create the movie poster and image for his film. He hired Bob Peak. Signed lower left and inscribed on version 1961 with printers marks Unframed Very good condition , some minor scuff marks visible mostly with raking light and on close inspection
  • Creator:
    Bob Peak (1927 - 1992, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1961
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 17.6 in (44.71 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement & Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very good, some minor scuff marks visible mostly with raking light and on close inspection.
  • Gallery Location:
    Miami, FL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU385310806312

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