Kilimanjaro Cheetahs 1986

LeRoy Neiman created "Kilimanjaro Cheetahs," using his signature vibrant and energetic style. It depicts two cheetahs lounging in the African landscape with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. Neiman, celebrated for his illustrations of sporting events and leisure activities, often blurred the lines between high art and popular culture. His bold use of color and dynamic brushwork capture the intensity and vitality of his subjects, which resonated with a broad audience. In the context of the late 20th century, his work challenged traditional art hierarchies by embracing commercial subjects and appealing to a mass audience. Neiman's art was very popular and this was because it was aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand, unlike other artists of his time that engaged in creating art with the aim to shock the bourgeoise. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional contexts. We must engage in careful research to uncover the social, economic, and cultural forces that shaped its creation.