LeRoy Neiman, born LeRoy Runquist, is best known for his vibrantly colored paintings and screen prints, which draw on Impressionism and Pop Art and frequently feature portraits of athletes and musicians as well as depictions of sporting events. He is renowned for creating art during live coverage of the Olympics and other major American and international sports competitions. He once commented, “I use (bold) color to emphasize the scent, the spirit, and the feeling of the thing I’ve experienced.”
Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Neiman showed an early aptitude for drawing. After returning home from WWII, he studied at the Saint Paul School of Art and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC), where his classmates included Robert Indiana and Leon Golub. Upon graduation in 1950, he began teaching at SAIC.
In 1953, his oil painting Idle Boats won first prize at the Twin City Show, where the Minneapolis Art Institute purchased it. Neiman’s reputation quickly grew, and museums such as the Carnegie Pittsburgh International Exhibition of Contemporary Painting, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington purchased his works.
In 1954, Neiman’s famous association with Playboy magazine began to take shape. Hugh Hefner commissioned Neiman to create an illustration for this fledgling magazine, and his piece won the 1954 Chicago Art Directors Award. This led to a relationship with Playboy that lasted five decades and included Neiman writing and illustrating the “Man at His Leisure” section and the creation of the well-known “Femlin” — a female nymph wearing only opera gloves, stockings and high heels — which appeared on the “Party Jokes” page in every issue since 1955.
In 1970, the 5th Dimension commissioned Neiman to create a cover illustration for the pop group’s album Portrait. In 1994, he created the illustration used for the playbill and the immense Broadway mural for the musical Busker Alley. He was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the highest honor of the state of Illinois, the Order of Lincoln, in 2009.
Today, you can find Neiman’s works in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields), among others.
On 1stDibs, find LeRoy Neiman prints, drawings, paintings and more.
Sensual Belly Dancers, Morocco
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Miami, FL
We are presenting a rare opportunity to acquire one of Leroy Neiman's best and most compelling paintings. It is a statement piece. A combination of enticing subject matter with a mon...
Oil, Board
Dick Tiger, Boxing Painting by Leroy Neiman 1967
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Dick Tiger Year: 1967 Medium: Acrylic on Paper, signed and dated l.r. Size: 26 in. x 44 in. (66.04 cm x 111.76 cm) Frame Size...
Acrylic
"Frank Sinatra as Tony Rome"
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Jim's of Lambertville Fine Art Gallery is proud to present this piece by LeRoy Neiman (1921 – 2012). LeRoy Neiman was born in 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He displayed a great talent for art at a young age, working as an illustrator for local grocery stores as a teenager. Even after being drafted into the Army in 1942, he spent his spare time painting murals on the walls of kitchens and mess halls, where he served as a cook. Once the Army’s Special Services Division took notice of his talents, he was sent to work on painting stage sets for Red Cross shows in Germany after the war. Upon returning to the United States, Neiman enrolled briefly at the St. Paul School of Art before attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later, teaching figure drawing and fashion illustration there. While working at the Art Institute of Chicago, Neiman discovered his primary medium, enamel house paint, when a janitor threw out some half-empty cans of it next door to his apartment. From this medium, he embraced a technique of rapid paint application. While freelancing as an illustrator for the Chicago department store, Carson Pirie Scott, in the 1950s, Neiman met Hugh Hefner, who would become a great friend and help establish his artistic reputation. In 1954, Hefner showed Neiman’s paintings to Playboy’s Art...
Paper, Oil
Nude, Playboy-era Oil Painting by LeRoy Neiman
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Nude Year: 1960 Medium: Oil on Masonite, signed and dated l.r. Size: 8 x 11.5 inches Frame: 16 x 19.5 inches
Oil
$6,450
Leroy Neiman Churchill Downs Horse Racing Limited Edition Painting Serigraph
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Churchill Downs Size: 28 1/2" x 38" Framed: 40 1/2 " X 50" Year: 1993 Edition: 244/300 Condition: This piece is in excellent condition and came from t...
Watercolor
LeRoy Neiman - Hoosier Hoopla 1975, Serigraph
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman Title: Hoosier Hoopla 1975, Medium: Serigraph Size: 35 x 27.5 inches, when framed Signed LeRoy Neiman, lower left Certificate of Authenticity included. In a ...
Gouache
LeRoy Neiman New York Marathon Skyline Painting Art Large Artwork Signed
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Four Jockeys Size: 20 1/2" x 38" Framed: 32 3/4" X 50" Year: 1980 Edition #: 102/300 Leroy Neiman "New York Marathan" limited serigraph. Neiman was on...
Acrylic
$2,240
Leroy Neiman Trotters Horse Racing Limited Edition Signed Painting Serigraph
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Olympic Boxing Moscow 1980 Size: 42" X 21" Framed: 53 1/2" X 31 1/2" Year: 1980 Edition: 263/300 Neiman's got his start drawing boxing scenes in St P...
Acrylic
Leroy Neiman Golf Threesome Limited Edition Serigraph
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Golf Threesome Medium: Limited Edition Serigraph Size: 26" x 37" Edition: 193/300 Signed and numbered by the artist Currently not framed and the photo...
Watercolor
$4,450
Leroy Neiman Ryder Cup Golf Limited Edition Signed Serigraph Scotty Circle T CT
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Ryder Cup Valhalla 2008 Size: 25 1/2" x 38" Framed: 36 1/2" x 49 Year: 2007 Edition: 69/450 Condition: This piece is in excellent condition and came fro...
Watercolor
Leroy Neiman Irish American Bar Serigraph Contemporary Art
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman Title: Hoosier Hoopla 1975, Medium: Serigraph Size: 35 x 27.5 inches, when framed Signed LeRoy Neiman, lower left Certificate of Authenticity included. In a ...
Gouache
$1,650
Leroy Neiman Original Pencil Drawing Self Portrait Certified Signed Dated Rare
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman – Title: Self-Portrait, 2001 Medium: Original Pencil Drawing on paper Size: 8 x 6.75 inches Framed Size: Certificate of Authenticity included. Traveling arou...
Pencil
Leroy Neiman Signed Limited US Open Oakmont Golf Art Painting Best Offer
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Gorilla Family Medium: Hand Signed Serigraph Year: 1980 Signed: In Pencil by the Artist In this tribute to the African Jungle contemporary master Leroy N...
Acrylic
$3,650
Leroy Neiman famous serigraph The Club 21 Limited Edition Painting Mint Conditio
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: The 21 Club Size: 26" x 36" Framed: 40 1/2 X 49 5/16 Year: 1990 This piece is in perfect condition and has never seen UV rays. The piece came from a ...
Acrylic
Leroy Neiman Gorilla Family Serigraph Signed Painting Art African Wildlife
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Gorilla Family Medium: Hand Signed Serigraph Year: 1980 Signed: In Pencil by the Artist In this tribute to the African Jungle contemporary master Leroy N...
Acrylic
Leroy Neiman The Great Secretariat Serigraph Signed Limited Edition
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Secretariat, 1990s Serigraph Edition 101/250 Signed and numbered by the artist Size: Double-matted 35x44" Certificate of Authenticity included: Full LO...
Acrylic
$3,950
Leroy Neiman Stock Market Limited Signed Original Serigrap All Offers Considered
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
LeRoy Neiman - Stock Exchange Color Serigraph, dated 1972 27 x 39 inches Signed LeRoy Neiman, lower left Numbered: E.A. Very good condition with light sun bleaching. Currently not fr...
Acrylic
Leroy Neiman The Finish Limited Edition Signed Serigraph 214/300
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: The Finish Size: 33" x 26 3/8" Framed: Not Framed (photos show options +$250) Year: 1974 Edition: A.P. Condition: This piece is in excellent condition and...
Watercolor
Leroy Neiman Bar at 21 Limited Signed Painting Art All Offers Considered
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Leroy Neiman Title: Bar at 21 Size: 25 7/8" X 39" Framed: 40" X 52" Year: 1974 Edition: 265/300 Condition: The serigraphs has zero cracking. There is foxing throughout ...
Watercolor
Leroy Neiman Stretch Stampede Limited Signed All Offers Considered
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Title: Stretch Stampede Size: 30' X 45' Framed: 39 1/2 X 58 1/4 Year: 1979 Neiman's horse racing pieces are some of his most desired pieces. This particular piece is legendary...
Watercolor
LeRoy Neiman Frank Sinatra the Voice Limited Signed Authenticity Included
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist Name: LeRoy Neiman Title: Frank Sinatra The Voice Medium: Serigraph limited edition Dimensions: 28" x 22" Framed: Currently not framed Edition: 477/500 Condition: Museum quali...
Watercolor
$7,650
Leroy Neiman Original Drawing George Halas Chicago Bears Grand Father of the NFL
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
LeRoy Neiman – George Halas Sketch, circa 1970 Drawing Matted and framed Signed at the bottom by the artist Size: 20.5 x 19’ inches Image size: 12.25 x 10.25’ inches Certificate of ...
Color Pencil
Leroy Neiman Original Colored Pencil Drawing Muhammad Ali Signed Dated Rare
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman – Ali, 1979 Medium: Original Hand Drawn with Colored Pencil on Fine Art Paper Size: 11 x 14 inches Framed: 20 3/8 x 23 Certificate of Authenticity included Yea...
Color Pencil
Leroy Neiman Original Pastel Painting Joe Montana Superbowl 1989 Original COA
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: Steve Kaufman Title: Double Monroe Medium: Original Oil Painting on Screen print Canvas Size: 23.5' x 47.5' Size Framed: 28.5' x 52.5' Edition size: Signed SAK Origina...
Watercolor
$11,500
Leroy Neiman Mixed Media Orig Painting Drawing Female No Nude Show Girl Ceasar's
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Hotel Party Medium: Original Water Color and Marker Size: 18" x 22" Framed: 30"" x 34" Condition: This piece is in great...
Watercolor
Leroy Neiman Original Authentic Water Color Painting Hotel Party
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Hotel Party Medium: Original Water Color and Marker Size: 18" x 22" Framed: 30"" x 34" Condition: This piece is in great...
Watercolor
Original Rare Leroy Neiman Painting Joe Frazier 1971 Champion Muhammad Ali
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Joe Frazier Medium: Original Ink Marker, Watercolor, and Felt Pen on Fine Fabriano Watercolor Paper Size: 18" x 24" Framed: 29 1/2...
Gouache
LeRoy Neiman Whores, Wars & Tin Pan Alley Ltd Poster Alvin Epstein Painting
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman Title: War's Whores and Tin Pan Alley Painting Medium: Original Gouache Painting on Fine art Paper Size: 16" x 10 1/2" Framed: 28 3/4" x 21 Signed: Signed by the...
Gouache
LeRoy Neiman Orig Doc. Master Piece Alvin Epstein Wars Whores & Tin Pan Alley
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: LeRoy Neiman Title: War's Whores and Tin Pan Alley Medium: Original Gouache Painting on Fine art Paper Size: 16" x 10 1/2" Framed: 28 3/4" x 21 Signed: Signed by the Artist C...
Gouache
Price Upon Request
Statue of Liberty
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Missouri, MO
LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012) Statue of Liberty, July 4, 1986 Signed and Dated Lower Left Acrylic Paint and Chalk 24 x 16 inches 37.5 x 29.25 inches with frame Mr. Neiman's ki...
Chalk, Acrylic