$320,000 painting "The Hustler" up for auction

FastMikie

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member

TheHustler.jpg


"The Hustler" by Leroy Neiman

This great painting/investment is going up for auction on December 3, but before that it is available to the first buyer who comes up with the $320,000 price. It's a big painting (4'x8') and there's no place for it in my small condo so maybe you know someone who would like this in their pool room...

"The Hustler" is a realistic adult story of a small-time, ambitious, struggling, self-destructive, pool shark, commenting on winning/success and losing, life and love, loyalty, greed, self-respect, selling out and ultimate redemption. Paul Newman is the lead role as a brash, contending pool hustler.

Neiman spent time on the set on “The Hustler” and began to work on the painting that captures the story of a young punk challenging the old master. Neiman started the painting on the set, but did not complete the work until 1963; taking the time to perfect the feeling of tension, hope and failure in that smoky pool hall.

Franklin Bowles Gallery has been Neiman’s primary dealer for 35 years and has first right of refusal on all available works. The painting is framed in an authentic 18k gold leaf frame. The art comes with a certificate of authenticity and free annual appraisals. Neiman is 84 years old and the Smithsonian is mounting the archives of his work.​

I get nothing out of this. I was told about this before it goes on auction because of my interest in pool and because of a friend of mine who collects art which he buys through this one person, who just happens to work as an art consultant and assistant to the Director at the Franklin Bowles Gallery (800-926-9535) which is the gallery which specializes in Leroy Neiman works.

It's just too big (4'x5') for my small condo. I'm thinking that this is the sort of piece that Kevin Trudeau (IPT founder) would be interested in having for the pool room in one of his homes. Who else would be interested in this one-of-a-kind piece with a neat history and a great future value appreciation potential?
 
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Celtic said:
That is a huge amount of money for that painting IHMO.

I don't know much about art, but FWIW Neiman is listed by this dealer alongside Dali, Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse and Chagall. Pretty good company and an indication of why they expect this painting to command a price like that, just aside from the historical Hollywood aspect of it. The price you pay for fine art has very little to do with what the painting actually looks like and much more to do with the artist's reputation, history and context.

I think Mikie is just referencing this here as a favor for his friend at the gallery. I guess there as a slim chance that there's a Pool fan in here with 320 large burning a hole in their pocket and some blank wall space to fill. (Heh, can you picture some slick pool hustler in a sharp suit counting out 3,200 scrunched-up C-notes in the middle of a fancy San Francisco art gallery with a cigarette dangling out of the corner of his mouth the whole time?)

For comparison if you wanted to buy that Van Gogh painting with the Billiards table you'd probably have to add another 0 or two on the end of the price. The really crazy thing is that neither of these paintings even have dogs playing in them. Now THATS art. (BTW If you ARE that person, and are reading this, please note I have a major metropolitan bridge for sale, light usage, great conversation piece. Buyer collects, POA.)

Hey Mikie, can you ask your friend if there's any chance of some nice prints of that picture at a price the rest of us can afford? Didn't see it listed by the gallery under their Serigraphs for Neiman.
 
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The Shooter

FastMikie said:

TheHustler.jpg


"The Hustler" by Leroy Neiman

This great painting/investment is going up for auction on December 3, but before that it is available to the first buyer who comes up with the $320,000 price. It's a big painting (4'x8') and there's no place for it in my small condo so maybe you know someone who would like this in their pool room...

"The Hustler" is a realistic adult story of a small-time, ambitious, struggling, self-destructive, pool shark, commenting on winning/success and losing, life and love, loyalty, greed, self-respect, selling out and ultimate redemption. Paul Newman is the lead role as a brash, contending pool hustler.

Neiman spent time on the set on “The Hustler” and began to work on the painting that captures the story of a young punk challenging the old master. Neiman started the painting on the set, but did not complete the work until 1963; taking the time to perfect the feeling of tension, hope and failure in that smoky pool hall.

Franklin Bowles Gallery has been Neiman’s primary dealer for 35 years and has first right of refusal on all available works. The painting is framed in an authentic 18k gold leaf frame. The art comes with a certificate of authenticity and free annual appraisals. Neiman is 84 years old and the Smithsonian is mounting the archives of his work.​

I get nothing out of this. I was told about this before it goes on auction because of my interest in pool and because of a friend of mine who collects art which he buys through this one person, who just happens to work as an art consultant and assistant to the Director at the Franklin Bowles Gallery (800-926-9535) which is the gallery which specializes in Leroy Neiman works.

It's just too big (4'x5') for my small condo. I'm thinking that this is the sort of piece that Kevin Trudeau (IPT founder) would be interested in having for the pool room in one of his homes. Who else would be interested in this one-of-a-kind piece with a neat history and a great future value appreciation potential?

What I find interesting is the shooter in this painting is very well balanced, and proper shooting form. Pretty observant of the painter, must of done it in live time eh ??
 
FastMikie said:

TheHustler.jpg


"The Hustler" by Leroy Neiman

This great painting/investment is going up for auction on December 3, but before that it is available to the first buyer who comes up with the $320,000 price. It's a big painting (4'x8') and there's no place for it in my small condo so maybe you know someone who would like this in their pool room...

"The Hustler" is a realistic adult story of a small-time, ambitious, struggling, self-destructive, pool shark, commenting on winning/success and losing, life and love, loyalty, greed, self-respect, selling out and ultimate redemption. Paul Newman is the lead role as a brash, contending pool hustler.

Neiman spent time on the set on “The Hustler” and began to work on the painting that captures the story of a young punk challenging the old master. Neiman started the painting on the set, but did not complete the work until 1963; taking the time to perfect the feeling of tension, hope and failure in that smoky pool hall.

Franklin Bowles Gallery has been Neiman’s primary dealer for 35 years and has first right of refusal on all available works. The painting is framed in an authentic 18k gold leaf frame. The art comes with a certificate of authenticity and free annual appraisals. Neiman is 84 years old and the Smithsonian is mounting the archives of his work.​

I get nothing out of this. I was told about this before it goes on auction because of my interest in pool and because of a friend of mine who collects art which he buys through this one person, who just happens to work as an art consultant and assistant to the Director at the Franklin Bowles Gallery (800-926-9535) which is the gallery which specializes in Leroy Neiman works.

It's just too big (4'x5') for my small condo. I'm thinking that this is the sort of piece that Kevin Trudeau (IPT founder) would be interested in having for the pool room in one of his homes. Who else would be interested in this one-of-a-kind piece with a neat history and a great future value appreciation potential?
Wow only $320,000.00 !!!!!!!! i paid $50.00 for a real 20"x24" photo of the 2 original characters...guess i got a good deal....But i will sell it for the first offer of $100,000.00
 
Oooooooo, wow....

Actually, I like Leroy Neiman. I say it goes for $225K.

Barbara
 
Yes, it is an enormous amount of money, isn't it!
One perspective of living longer is that prices
which at the time seemed rediculously high,
a few years down the road they seem rediculously low.

Real estate, old cars, art...
Wow! If I still had some of the cars I owned years ago!
It is the collectible mindset:
Where a thing becomes greater than itself.
Soon enough, to the right person, it becomes priceless.
 
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I wouldn't put that painting on my wall if you paid me.

But hey, some people get a buzz out of pretending they see deep meaning in impressionist crap.
 
That's a lot of dough for a painting by the most overrated painter who ever lived.
 
If I sold my house, all of my possessions and took out a loan I might be ableto buy it but then I would not have a wall to hang it on. Isn't it amazing that some people have money like that to pay for a piece of canvass with some paint slapped on it. I don't feel too bad now for paying a few thousand dollars for a cue that I use everyday.
 
Island Drive said:
What I find interesting is the shooter in this painting is very well balanced, and proper shooting form. Pretty observant of the painter, must of done it in live time eh ??

Dick Leonard from the CCB tells a story of Leroy Nieman on the rail at a big 14.1 tourney sketching the players. Sorry I can't be more specific
 
Wally in Cincy said:
Dick Leonard from the CCB tells a story of Leroy Nieman on the rail at a big 14.1 tourney sketching the players. Sorry I can't be more specific

When the WPBA had a tourny in NYC Leroy was in the audience doing sketches. Allison Fisher reportedly asked him to "Not make my bum too big.".

Barbara
 
Neiman's got it...

Island Drive said:
What I find interesting is the shooter in this painting is very well balanced, and proper shooting form. Pretty observant of the painter, must of done it in live time eh ??

Despite what some others have said here, I think Neiman has always had a great eye for athletes and games. Their body positions are always dead on. I saw a painting he'd done of Jack Nicklaus and without knowing the title, I could see it was Jack.

I didn't know he'd done any of pool...wish I had some stupid money laying around. That would look great in my house.

Brian in VA
 
AuntyDan said:
I don't know much about art, but FWIW Neiman is listed by this dealer alongside Dali, Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse and Chagall. ....

I would hardly put Neiman in the same category as Dali, Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse and Chagall. To use some locker room vernacular, he couldn't carry their jock strap. Compare "The Hustler" to "Starry, Starry Night", not even in the same ballpark.
Actually I think my son's work may be better and is certainly a lot less expensive. Of course, as his father I may be exhibiting a little favoritism here.
However, I've never been impressed with Neiman's work, certainly not in the 100K plus range.
JMHO.
 
About 2000 years ago Cicero said "Man can neither love nor hate what he does not know". The beauty of art is in the eyes of the beholder and I would certainly love to have that painting in my home billiard room next to the Neiman painting of the Kentucky Derby. Does anyone have an extra of Neiman's Muhammad Ali?
 
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catscradle said:
I would hardly put Neiman in the same category as Dali, Picasso, Rembrandt, Matisse and Chagall. To use some locker room vernacular, he couldn't carry their jock strap. Compare "The Hustler" to "Starry, Starry Night", not even in the same ballpark.
Actually I think my son's work may be better and is certainly a lot less expensive. Of course, as his father I may be exhibiting a little favoritism here.
However, I've never been impressed with Neiman's work, certainly not in the 100K plus range.
JMHO.



"Starry, Starry Night" is a Don McClean song from back in the 70's. "Starry Night" is a painting by Vincent van Gogh
 
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