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, Abstract Expressionist Brush Strokes
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
"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
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
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
$550
H 9 in W 12 in D 1.5 in
"Idaho Road" - Original Oil Landscape Painting on Paper and Cradled Board
By Samantha Buller
Located in Denver, CO
About the Artist: Samantha Buller currently lives in Sonoma County after painting and teaching in Kansas for the past two years. She received her BFA in Painting from the Academy of ...
Oil, Paper, Board
$2,750
H 16.75 in W 13.5 in
'Fashion Able II', Parsons School of Design, Haute Couture, Costume
By Isaac Mizrahi
Located in Santa Cruz, CA
Signed verso lower left, 'Isaac Mizrahi'. A fashion designer and creator of costume, Isaac Mizrahi attended the Parsons School of Design before becoming immersed in haute couture in...
Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Synthetic Paper, Graphite
$1,350
H 20.25 in W 28.5 in D 0.25 in
"Adventures in Literature" Figurative 1930's Illustration art
By Charles Kinghan
Located in Soquel, CA
A wonderful original figure painting for a 1930's illustration by Charles Kinghan (American, 1895-1984). A woman in a plaid green skirt and mustard yel...
Acrylic, Cardboard
Maximilien Luce La Cueilleuse de Fruits
By Maximilien Luce
Located in Dallas, TX
Maximilien Luce (French, 1858-1941) La Cueilleuse de Fruits oil on newsprint laid down to board signed Luce (lower right) Sight: 13 1/2 x 6 1/2 in. (34.3 x 16.5cm) Frame: 17.5 x 10 I...
Oil, Newsprint
$1,766Sale Price|55% Off
H 60 in W 20 in
Late Afternoon Blues - California Realism Palm Tree
By Kathleen Keifer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer's original artworks represent one of the most significant expressions of New California Realism. Keifer brings a fresh perspective to her colorful scenes of everyday ...
Canvas, Acrylic
Palm Springs Hotel No.6- oil on paper
By Kory Alexander
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Using the striking imagery that is abundant in the California landscape, queer artist Kory Alexander creates dreamy paintings that are flooded with vibrancy and movement. Kory consid...
Archival Paper, Oil
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 36 in W 26 in D 1 in
Till It All Withers 3 -21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Mixed Media, Men
By Samson Olatubosun
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Samson Olatubos...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic, Photographic Paper
$6,820
H 48.82 in W 34.65 in D 3.55 in
Paul Anton Kaulbach (1864 Hanover - 1930 Berlin) Male Nude
Located in Greding, DE
Depiction of a male nude in diffuse architectural scenery. Signed lower right (Paul) Anton Kaulbach (1864 Hannover - 1930 Berlin). Oil on canvas, in gold-patinated frame. Image size:...
Oil, Canvas
$5,028
H 20.6 in W 15.44 in
'Portrait of a Bearded Man', Oil Painting, Signed, Circa 19th Century
Located in London, GB
British School (Late 19th Century) 'Portrait of a Bearded Man' Oil on canvas 52.3 x 39.2 cm, 68.4 x 55.5 cm (framed) Signed with monogram (lower left) While unknown, the creator ...
Paper, Oil
$840Sale Price|30% Off
H 18 in W 24 in
Palm Springs Night - Blue Landscape Original Painting California Artwork
By Kathleen Keifer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Kathleen Keifer's original artworks represent one of the most significant expressions of New California Realism. Keifer brings a fresh perspective to her colorful scenes of everyday ...
Canvas, Acrylic
End of October/Beginning of November
By Jackie Felix
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original oil on un-stretched canvas which was featured in the artist's retrospective exhibition at The Burchfield Penney Art Center. Jackie Felix (1929-2009) earned her Bachelo...
Canvas, Oil
$1,902Sale Price|20% Off
H 23.63 in W 19.69 in D 1.97 in
French Figurative Bar Scene Ladies Night Interior Oil Painting Natalia Antadze
By Natalia Antadze
Located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Artist: Natalia Antadze Medium: Oil on canvas Size: 60 x 50 cm Signature: Signed Condition: Very good condition Description A characterful figurative interior scene depicting two el...
Oil
Biology 101
By Jackie Felix
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original oil on un-stretched canvas by Jackie Felix, currently featured in the exhibition at Benjaman Gallery "Over the Fence". Jackie Felix (1929-2009) earned her Bachelor of ...
Canvas, Oil
$4,800
H 30 in W 24 in D 1 in
Seated Nude, Contemporary Oil Painting on Canvas by Miriam Bromberg
By Miriam Bromberg
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Miriam Bromberg Title: Nude Year: circa 1970 Medium: Oil on Canvas, signed l.l. Size: 30 in. x 24 in. (76.2 cm x 60.96 cm)
Canvas, Oil
$20,000
H 18.2 in W 24.4 in D 2 in
Africa - Collage Painting in Orange - African American Artist - Spiral Group
By Alvin Hollingsworth 1
Located in Miami, FL
African American artist Alvin Hollingsworth part of the famous Spiral Group , created an inventive and intriguing close-up portrait with figures in the distance. Found objects such as swatches of burlap, plastic spoons, press type and wood shapes are adhered to the surface make this work an object as much as an image. The overall image is bathed in a super hot orange-yellow. This is Hollingsworth interpretation of the soul of Africa. Indistinctly signed lower right in red. The work makes a powerful statement in person. Provenance: The Artist to a personal friend. Private collection Framed dimensions 19 1/4 x 25 1/4 in. Alvin Carl...
Fabric, Burlap, Wood, Oil
Sold
H 32 in W 27 in
3 Studies of a Jockey, Expressionist Oil Painting by LeRoy Neiman
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
3 Studies of a Jockey LeRoy Neiman, American (1921–2012) Date: 1972 Oil on Canvas, signed, titled, and dated verso Size: 23.25 x 18 in. (59.06 x 45.72 cm) Frame Size: 32 x 27 inches
Oil
Roberto Duran, Expressionist Oil Painting by LeRoy Neiman
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Roberto Duran LeRoy Neiman, American (1921–2012) Date: 1981 Oil on Canvas, signed and dated Size: 24 x 36 in. (60.96 x 91.44 cm) Frame Size: 31 x 43 inches
Oil
Sold
H 34.75 in W 46.13 in D 1.5 in
Colorful Abstract Contemporary Texas Longhorn Football Game Lithograph
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Houston, TX
Colorful lithograph by American artist LeRoy Neiman. Lithograph depicting a Texas Longhorns football game. Signed by artist at the bottom right. Framed a...
Lithograph
The Bull Fighter
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A painting by LeRoy Neiman. "The Bull Fighter" is an oil on panel painting executed in a deep and brilliant palette primarily of reds, yellow, aqua blues ...
Oil, Panel
Black Power (Jim Dent)
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: LeRoy Neiman, American (1921 - 2012) Title: Black Power (Jim Dent) Year: 1975 Medium: Oil on Masonite, signed and dated l.l. Size: 48 x 36 in. ...
Oil