Million Dollar Strike 1982

LeRoy Neiman, celebrated for his vibrant depictions of American life, captures the energy of competitive sport in his painting "Million Dollar Strike." Neiman's work reflects a post-war America enamored with leisure and spectacle. Yet, within the frame of celebratory culture, we can also observe the dynamics of gender and class that shape the sport. Note the gendered division of labor visible in the sea of spectators that consist primarily of men, while the bowler on the lane performs under pressure. His striped shirt suggests the working man's attire, implying that the bowling alley is the space for competition and potential financial reward. Neiman was once quoted as saying "I want to grab the energy, the color, the action." Neiman’s gestural brushstrokes capture the bowler’s moment of athleticism, but also reflect the broader societal investment in an event where working-class aspirations meet the thrill of competition and the potential for upward mobility. This painting encapsulates the layered meanings of the sport itself.