Iconic American artist LeRoy Neiman, known for his trademark handlebar
mustache and his bright, impressionistic portrayals of the world's top
sporting events, died in New York on Wednesday. He was 91.
Neiman was born June 8,
1921, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Lydia Sophia Serline and
Charles Julius Runquist. He later took the surname of one of his
stepfathers, after his biological father abandoned the family, his
biography says.
He enlisted in the army
in 1942, serving during World War II. Neiman was in the invasion of
Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, according to his
publicist Gail Parenteau, later attending Chicago's prestigious School
of the Art Institute on the G.I. Bill.
Neiman taught at the
Institute for 10 years early in his career before gaining recognition as
a contributing artist for Playboy in the 1950s.
The series "Man at His
Leisure" appeared in the magazine for 15 years, showing the artist's
impressions of sporting events and social activities. Included in the
series was the Grand Prix in Monaco, the Beatles in London and the
running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
Staying true to his style, Neiman's public persona was as almost as colorful as his artwork.
"I guess I created LeRoy Neiman," the artist once said, according to the biography on
his website. "Nobody else told me how to do it. Well, I'm a believer in the theory that the artist is as important as his work."
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I have read a few articles that say Playboy tarnished his reputation as a serious artist.
I HIGHLY disagree and think he was a defining visionary of Playboy's legendary image and style.
Plus, he looked like he had fun doing it.
Thumb through any vintage issue of Playboy and tell me its not true.
Rest, in peace.
