Rainy Day at the U.S. Open (Oakmont)
Original serigraph / Limited edition print on heavy paper • LeRoy Neiman (American, 1921-2012)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Impressionism / Sports Art / Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Serigraphy (silkscreen printing) using multiple color passes with flat and textured ink applications to mimic impressionistic brushwork
Creation Period
1973
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 30 inches; landscape format
Subject Description
The scene depicts the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, famously won by Johnny Miller. The composition features a foreground crowded with bright, multi-colored umbrellas sheltering spectators, while in the mid-ground, a golfer executes a swing amidst a heavy downpour, captured through slanted white graphic lines representing rain.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing some slight tonal shifts in the paper and minor mat burn from the non-archival mounting
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a commercial gallery or art dealer in the 1970s or 1980s; private collection. Bears hand-signature and date in the lower margin.
Art Historical Significance
Neiman is a seminal figure in 20th-century sports art. This piece captures a historic moment in golf history (the 1973 Open) and showcases his ability to translate movement and environmental conditions into a vivid, energetic color palette, characteristic of his work for ABC's Wide World of Sports.
Notable Features
Hand-signed 'LeRoy Neiman' in pencil or ink in the lower right; often includes a specific numbering (e.g., /300). The use of high-contrast pinks and blues against the dark rainy landscape is a signature Neiman technique.
Condition Issues
Visible reflection in glass suggests the print is in a standard non-UV frame which may lead to fading over time; slight yellowing of the paper visible at the edges of the matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-mount using acid-free archival matting and UV-protective museum glass. Ensure humidity is controlled to prevent foxing or warping of the paper support.