LeRoy Neiman (American (1921 – 2012)

Leroy Neiman was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, De Paul University, and the University of Illinois. Neiman taught at the Art Institute of Chicago's school for ten years. Neiman moved to New York City in 1963 when he had his first one-man show at the Hammer Gallery.

For the next 49 years Neiman continued to portray the people and events of the world he knew best, or which intrigued him most. His best-known works are sports scenes, a reflection, he believed, of the fact that sports are universally a dominant force.

LeRoy Neiman was the official artist for ABC-TV at the Olympic Games in 1972 and 1976, and at the Winter Olympics of 1980. Neiman's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums throughout the world, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and the Hermitage in Leningrad.

For his last 50 years, LeRoy Neiman had been the world's most recognized popular artist. He created a vibrant energetic style that set his art apart from all others. His works encompass sports, entertainment, travel, and adventure, especially African Animals. LeRoy Neiman has enriched the art world, and brought joy and excitement to millions of collectors worldwide.

Sadly Leroy Neiman passed away on June 20th 2012. Before his passing, he endowed Columbia University with a school for fine art print making.