LeRoy Neiman collection, other estate art in May 22 Universal Live sale

LeRoy Neiman, Ali – Athlete of the Century. Image courtesy Universal Live Auctions.

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Universal Live is running a live Internet fine art auction on Saturday, May 22, commencing at 1 p.m. Central Time, 2 p.m. Eastern. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Universal has been commissioned to liquidate the fine art section with attractive opening bids, nearly half starting below $900. As a result, said Univeral Live’s auctioneer, Martin Shape, most of the art is estimated at “50 percent below gallery prices, or better.”

The auction is primarily comprised of the Guiragossian and Stevens estates and will feature a number of Leroy Neiman works

“We have almost 20 pieces of LeRoy Neiman art in this auction,” Shape said. “He is one of the most popular, prolific and avidly collected contemporary artists, whose work consistently garners popular praise in critical acclaim. Mr. Neiman got his start by having his works published in Playboy, and the different items displayed in this auction show the great variety of subjects that he delved in.

“His colors are vivid and stunningly energetic,” Shape continued. “He is known for his preoccupation with ‘man at his leisure,’ which introduced him to sports art as shown in lot 8770120, titled Sweet Serve; lot 8770135, Cal Ripken, Jr.; lot 8770159, Ali – Athlete of the Century; and lot 8775992, Holyfield vs. Bowe.”

Neiman paintings that depict historical events are also included in the May 22 offering. Among them are lot 8770122, Napoleon at Waterloo; and lot 8775997, New Stock Exchange.

In addition to his love of the human subject, Neiman has explored the animal category while on safari as demonstrated in lot 8779706, Big 5 Safari Art; and lot 8770138, Portrait of the Elephant. Scenic art depictions include lot 8770105, Bethesda Fountain; and lot 8770178, Hunt Rendezvous.

Neiman, himself, best summarizes his artistic anthology, Shape said, quoting the artist: “I have painted and sketched in casinos, hotels, bars, massage parlors, steam baths, restaurants, on battlefields and football fields, law courts, tennis courts, pool rooms and the doorways of skid-row missions. To me it is all Neimanland.”

Other noted artists in the May 22 auction include Picasso, Dali, Chagall, Peter Max, Matisse and many others.

For additional information on any lot in the sale, call Martin Shape at 847-412-1802 or email sales@universallive.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.