Note on Art

Note on Art

A personal note from LeRoy Neiman on art.

This personal note from LeRoy Neiman expands on the anecdotal histories behind a range of commissions, including New York businessman Irving Felt purchasing a work of Madison Square Garden featuring mobster Frankie Carbo, Hollywood kingpin Darryl Zanuck's ill-timed death, and a portrait of former pitcher Jesse Orosco.

LeRoy Neiman

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

c. 1990-2011

LeRoy Neiman

Property of the LeRoy Neiman Foundation; please consult the organization's archivist for further details.

Notes

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English

Document

LN_Notes_443

New York (N.Y.) New York

Irving Pelt bought “Introducing Champions in Madison Square Garden” then discovered I had mobster Frankie Carbo sitting ringside. I took his signature hat off[,] made one stroke of color on the face 11/2 inches high and it became Mayor Wagner.

Darreyl Zanack died before seeing the final result of a painting of him playing Polo I was commissioned to do. by him. so I changed him to Prince Philly.

I changed Paldo into Nichlaus, Nichlaus back to Paldo

Had a sketch of pitcher Jessie Orosco which I transferred (directly) to an etching plate—pulled it. (The imprint) only one. It didn’t look right.

Six months later I was commissioned to do a watercolor of Jessie which I did using an etching as my guide. I showed it on T.V. at home plate at the presentation ceremonies as he was [?] rightly rallier than Southpaw. Jessie broke up. I was embarrassed. Ralph Rainer referred [to] the error several times, during the game’s telecast—good natured, of course

Pencil on paper.