Florida Racing 

Here we have LeRoy Neiman's "Florida Racing," an explosion of color capturing the energy of a horse race, though the exact date is not known. Neiman's work often depicted sporting events and leisure activities, reflecting a post-World War II fascination with spectacle and celebrity culture. Neiman was known for his energetic and gestural painting style. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition convey a sense of excitement and immediacy. But consider the context: horse racing is a sport steeped in class divisions, with wealthy owners and predominantly white jockeys, while the labor behind the scenes often falls to marginalized communities. Neiman's work can be seen as both celebratory and complicit in these power dynamics. He once said "I am what I am. I have always painted the world as I see it. " The painting invites us to reflect on the spectacle of sport and its relationship to identity and social structures. It reminds us to look beyond the surface excitement.