Revolver Gallery announces the addition of the very first MUHAMMAD ALI COMPLETE PORTFOLIO printed in the 1978 series. Initiated by art collector and sports enthusiast Richard Weisman, the Athlete series by Andy Warhol included paintings of: Pelé, Jack Nicklaus and Muhammad Ali. In 1977, Warhol photographed Ali, which was no easy task considering Ali kept talking while Warhol tried to capture his image. Luckily Warhol managed to get a few shots. The most powerful shot of Ali featured him holding his fists out ready to punch, with a deep look of determination. Ali himself said Warhol’s piece was “by far the best painting I have ever had of myself.” He felt the painting successfully depicted his “many moods.” At first, Warhol was not familiar with most famous athletes, but his passion for fame drove his obsession with sport stars. Warhol said “I really got to love the athletes because they are the really big stars.”
Not long after completing the Athlete series, Warhol died from sudden post-operative cardiac arrhythmia on February 22, 1987. Warhol’s portraits of Ali gained even more value after the unfortunate death of Ali himself at the age of 74. Muhammad Ali, three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died June 3, 2016. Ali had spent the days prior to his death in the hospital being treated for respiratory complications in addition to suffering from Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years. Ali’s life was filled with much success, even though he faced grave adversity due to his religious and political beliefs.
