£1,500 - £2,200
Rare Limited Edition by Sidney Maurer (1926-2017)
5787 - This very large limited edition by the late American artist Sidney Maurer (1926-2017). From a rare limited edition of only 95 numbered pieces published (now sold out). This is a "Master Printers proof" of which only 2 were ever published Worldwide, this being number 1 (MPP1). Title: "The Greatest" which depicts Maurer's original he painted of Muhammad Ali. It will be accompanied with a signed certificate of authentication which has been signed Sidney Maurer and has the official Maurer Estate embossed frank. It is mounted ready to frame. It will be supplied with a replacement valuation for £2600 along with biographical details on the artist and the image (Free of charge) Nicknamed The Greatest, this portrait is that of one of the most significant and celebrated figures of the 20th century. Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr on January 17, 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky was one of the greatest boxers of all time. Sydney Maurer, known for painting inspirational people, captured this direct and striking portrait of the athlete in his usual gritty and confrontational style. In 1964, he announced that he no longer would be known as Cassius Clay but as Muhammad Ali. A leading heavyweight boxer of the 20th century, Ali was involved in several historic boxing matches. He was the only fighter to have been ranked as the worlds best heavyweight twelve times. A provocative and outlandish opponent, Ali also attained success outside of the ring, including his work as a musician, actor, writer and activist. As a painter, Maurer creates large mixed media pieces that are very much a product of his varied training and experience. His style combines bold, dynamic colours and strokes with painstaking layouts and typographical elements. The result is the unique blend of a painters passion tempered with the calculating compositional eye of a graphic designer. He explores his themes and subject matter primarily through symbols and personalities evoking pride, nostalgia, and hope. H: 146cm W: 102cm D: 1cm
