From collection Muhammad Ali Center Permanent Collection
Landscape Drawing by Cassius Clay, Sr., c. 1970
The image shows the imagined layered colors of sunrise or sunset, when the sky and the shadows hold more than light and dark, primary colors. The trees appear in reds and browns, shadows contain purples, yellows, greens, and oranges. A large orange sun peaks out from behind layered hills and a serene body of water. The back is inscribed, "This sketch is the one made in Atlanta in the house just outside town. Muhammad Ali staged a drawing championship between his father and myself [LeRoy Neiman] in the kitchen. Ali sat between his father and myself, refereeing. After about 10 minutes he said 'STOP!' 'No contest' 'LeRoy is the artist champion of the world.' We both did landscapes--mine was looking out of the window into the backyard. Cassius Sr. did one from his imagination. I liked it and tried to shake his hand but he stomped out of the room. LeRoy Neiman, 1970"
