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Lot Number: 128
Description: Exceptional Randall Cunningham original painting by Ernie Barnes. Ernest Barnes broke into professional football in December of 1959 after being drafted by the Baltimore Colts. Just a few days later he was invited to watch the Colts in the NFL Championship game when he sat on the sidelines with his new teammates. Barnes enjoyed a brief and rather ordinary career in professional football when on the occasion of his retirement in 1965 he was introduced to New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin. Long recognized to have painted and sketched during his football career (even to the point of being fined for doing so during games) Werblin viewed Barnes work and remarked, -You have more value to the country as an artist than a football player.+ Barnes began to accumulate an impressive body of works to include Olympic artwork, notable record album cover art, Official NFL and NBA original artwork pieces, and numerous single artist exhibitions which were featured in the nation+s most prominent galleries over the last (30) years. His unique use of elongation and movement is instantly recognizable and has led to Barnes becoming one of the more revered artists of his era. Offered is an original oil on canvas painting by Ernie Barnes as commissioned by Randall Cunningham depicting the quarterback in the center of a group of imposing defenders fighting to tackle him before he releases the football. As customary with Barnes+ works the subjects eyes are closed illustrating his point that in his words, -+how blind we are to people+s humanity.+ The painting measures a substantial 36+x47+ framed in handsome molded edge gilt frame and has been signed at lower right by Barnes. Original Barnes painting works are among the most desired of all 20th century African American artists with this particular example serving as one of the more substantive sports related specimens to be offered within the collecting marketplace in recent years: EX-MTEstimated Price Range: ($40,000-$60,000)
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