Note on Art

Dublin Core

Title

Note on Art

Subject

A note from LeRoy Neiman on artistic reference, specifically the entertainment industry.

Description

This note from LeRoy Neiman provides an abridged and anecdotal overview of the artist’s works on “Theatre” and “Entertainers/Movie Stars”. The record, itemizing these subjects as “4.” and “5.”, is then an excerpt of a longer document on similar themes. The section explicity concerned with entertainment descirbes the origins of Neiman’s Polo Lounge, which was made into a popular poster print. More information about the artwork can be found here.

Creator

LeRoy Neiman

Source

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

Publisher

LeRoy Neiman Foundation

Date

c. 1990-2011

Contributor

LeRoy Neiman

Rights

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

Format

Image/jpeg

Language

English

Type

Document

Identifier

LN_Notes_1892

Coverage

New York (N.Y.) New York

Text Item Type Metadata

Text

[4. THEATRE / "Oh, Calcutta!": A Nude Show Off Broadway. / It was not all that daring or shocking. The nude performers in relation to scale of the stage and auditorium were minute. The human figure is small and relatively unimportant as regards total nudity even from front row seats. Next to films and mag-photos, it was very mild. Did sketch of rehearsals and performances for the Musical's catalogue for producers Hilly Elkins and Kenneth Tynan. / Programs-posters: Plays = Golden Boy[,] Borstal Boy[,] Brecht / 5. ENTERTAINERS/MOVIE STARS SKETCHED / Swifly Lazars: Post Academy Awards Party at Spago: 32 people. / Polo Lounge - Hollywood gathering of 30 people. I was leaving the Polo Lounge of the Beverly Hills Hotel after lunch when a voice called out from the row of phone banks to the right. I recognized the distinctive twange of voice but, as one does, could not associate it with any acquaintance. Yet it was decidedly very familiar. I hesitated and turned and there leaving a phone, laughing and heading towards me was Henri Fonda. He told me directly that he was troubled by a commission he got to paint one of his wonderful barns (I was familiar with his painting because years before Lenny Rosen then head of Upstairs Gallery had held an unautorized tow men Fonda-Neiman Show for his walls1). "I have never agreed to do a commission before but I really wanted to for this client and I am nervous as hell - just can't get started. You have done a lot of commissions: how do you overcome this apprehension?" I replied, "Aren't you always a bit nervous and a little unsure of yourself before going on stage or before the camera but once you're there it all came natural? -- I too always feel that way before I commence painting". "That's it!" he exclaimed, "You said what I needed to hear. Of course. Thanks LeRoy." With a handshake then a wave he went back to dangling the phone. / -- / Lenny Rosen had a Gallery called "Upstairs" on La Cieniga. His desk was surrounded by huge fake Dali's. A fun guy, Lenny would live the same high style broke or flushed and he certainly fluctuated between both regularity. He was a pal of Henri Miller and once held a two men show of Miller's and my watercolor as well as a Henry Fonda - Neiman show.]

Original Format

Typewritten on paper.

Files

LN_Notes_1892.jpg

Citation

LeRoy Neiman, “Note on Art,” LeRoy Neiman Foundation, accessed March 29, 2024, https://leroyneimanfoundation.omeka.net/items/show/175.