American artist, LeRoy Neiman, popular for his bright colored depictions of sporting events, died at age 91 in New York yesterday, June 20th.   While overall not receiving the critical acclaim and presence at auction as contemporaries with similar name recognition, his overall popularity in a way seemed to transcend the vagaries of the contemporary art scene.   He painted and sketched an expansive range of subjects spanning from athletes to wild animals, to jazz musicians to presidents. Close friends with Hugh Hefner, Mr. Neiman was a prolific contributor for Playboy Magazine. Mr. Neiman further contributed to fashion magazines such Vogue in his early years and appeared in three “Rocky” movies because of his ties to the boxing world.   His longtime friendship with Muhammad Ali dates back to the boxer’s time as Cassius Clay.

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