Muhammad Ali Signed Canvas Art Steve Kaufman – COA JSA

Considered one of the top “pop” artists in the world, Steve Kaufman’s silk-screened canvases should instantly bring to mind the work of the most famous pop artist of all time, Andy Warhol. This is no coincidence. For the better part of a decade, the young Kaufman was an apprentice of the great Warhol, gaining such trust from both the artist and his supporters that Kaufman finished a number of Warhol’s incomplete commissions after the master’s passing. Yet while the influence is undeniable, Kaufman’s work takes the genre’s sophistication a step further, bringing the image into a greater context through a sort of “collage philosophy” that’s apparent in this offered piece. Kaufman’s work graces such collections as Calvin Klein’s and Steve Rubell’s, among many other renowned patrons. As well, he’s provided commissioned pieces for Las Vegas’ Caesar’s Palace, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, and the Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

In 1996, Kaufman was commissioned to create a series of Muhammad Ali tributes, titled “The Greatest.” Ali himself said of the series, “The style and dynamic color that Steve Kaufman used in these portraits really captures the memory of my boxing career. These are the best I’ve ever seen.” Kaufman creates each print individually with a combination of silk screening and hand-painted modifications, allowing each one to express a greater sense of immediacy and fluid meaning. Offered is one such canvas print. Add Ali’s virtually perfect felt tip “9-10″ autograph (6″ long) to the exquisite composite, and there’s yielded one of the finest accolades to this sporting hero. Rendered on heavy canvas (which has been rolled), this Near Mint work is a colossal 60″ x 84”, begging to be framed to occupy a meaningful dimension. “SAK” is written on the verso in blue felt tip with the date ’96.

This item will not be shipped stretched as shown, but rather will come rolled.  If the buyer chooses to keep it stretched the extra shipping fees will be assessed with a shipping quote.

Authentication: JSA Auction House Letter