LeRoy Neiman (1921-2012) American, Lithograph. Title: "Lion's Pride." Depicts a lion, lioness, and four cubs together in his signature psychedelic style. Signature and date of '71 bottom right. The matting around the image is irregular and does not extend to the bottom of the frame, and a hand signature is likely beneath it based on prior auction records. 

Overall Size: 27 1/2 x 33 3/4 in. 

Sight Size: 21 x 29 1/2 in. 

LeRoy Neiman was born LeRoy Leslie Runquist was born on June 8th, 1921 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and took the Neiman surname of his stepfather after his birth father, a railroad worker, deserted the family when he was a boy. As a teenager he earned money doing illustrations for local grocery stores, and was drafted into the Army in 1942, serving as a cook in the European theater and painting murals on the walls of kitchens and mess halls. Upon leaving the military, he studied briefly at the St. Paul School of Art before enrolling in the Art Institute of Chicago, where, after four years of study, he taught figure drawing and fashion illustration throughout the 1950s. While doing freelance work for the Carson Pirie Scott department store in Chicago he became friends with Hugh Hefner, who commissioned illustrations from him for Playboy for nearly fifty years, producing more than 100 paintings and murals for 18 of the Playboy clubs that opened around the world. Famous for sketching sporting events on live television, including Olympic games, boxing matches, and chess tournaments, he was also memorable for his appearance, sporting an ear-to-ear mustache, stark white suits, flashy hats, and Cuban cigars, a living legend by the time he passed away in New York City in 2012.

All items are sold AS IS. Lot and condition details are for descriptive purposes only. Sarasota Estate Auction is not responsible for errors and/or omissions of condition. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is perfect or free from wear, flaws, or characteristics of age. Please bid according to your own expertise, or request any additional information and/or photographs you deem necessary.