Jockey Up 1959

LeRoy Neiman made this painting of a jockey and horse with expressive brushstrokes. It's like he's capturing a fleeting moment, full of energy. The texture is really something, isn't it? Thick daubs of paint create this raw, almost sculptural surface. Look at the way he uses red, pink and white, blending them just enough to suggest form, but also letting them vibrate against each other. It's this tension between representation and abstraction that makes the painting so alive. Notice especially the flurry of strokes around the horse's head – it's a burst of pure painterly energy. Neiman reminds me of Willem de Kooning, both in the energy of his brushwork and his passion for capturing movement. Ultimately, art is a conversation, where each artist builds upon what came before, while adding their own unique voice.