A Portfolio Of Football Art by Ernie Barnes, A set of 5 Drawings (Lithographs)

Description: Ernie Barnes Portfolio of Football Art This collection of artwork is approximately 57 years old and has some wear to the actual portfolio from handling and being opened many times over the years. There is some discoloration to the folder from time and age. However, the 5 prints are in excellent condition. The lithograph prints have never been framed or hung. There is a very light discoloration on the border of a few of the lithographs from age. All 5 of the lithographs are in excellent condition with no tears or creases or frayed edges. The middle page of the portfolio in which the lithographs are housed is autographed by Ernie Barnes in script handwriting, more than likely occurring at one of the original purchase events of the set of 5. There are very few of these complete sets available. Below is the same description of the collection that is on the inside fold cover. This is an excellent generational wealth investment set and great addition to any football sports enthusiast collection. A true piece of Americana history by an exceptional artist/athlete who actually played the game of football at the highest level. FROM THE ARTIST Here is a portfolio of drawings which really needs no explanation. They are drawings portraying the moods and excitement in the game of football – a game which does strange things to men…makes them lose their heads…makes them hate. It is primeval combat…elbows and shoulder pads…muscle and helmets. It is as George Plimpton discovered, no place for Walter Mitty. I have tried, in my art, to re-embody all of the elements of the game in order to portray my subject as fact…deliberately distorting the body in order to inject the strength and the spirit of the men who play the game. It is almost impossible to introduce the athlete in the art of satisfying his thirst for competitiveness in athletics…unless the mood and guts of the game are dramatically expressed. Even before my pencil touches the paper, I mentally strip my idea of its concrete accompaniments – in order to inject my composition with actual reality and spirit. If football is to be the subject, then football should be felt when the drawing is complete. My experiences in the game where guts, desire and a total disregard for personal safety are prime prerequisites, provided the nucleus around which these drawings are formed. One of the luckiest breaks I had as an athlete came in 1960 when I was signed to an American Football League contract with the San Diego Chargers. Here I played in the arena with men who felt that this opportunity to play professional football was the greatest gift since their first bicycle. We suffered ridicule and prejudice from people who said that our league wouldn’t last. Sometimes the only audience seemed to be the concession workers and the custodians. But we continued to play and dedicate our strength and energies to the game we loved and enjoyed. Now, with five years of professional football behind me, I am proud of having played in a league where dedication, pride and confidence formed the roots of its success. Thanks to the American Football League, my art talent developed with purity as a result of my opportunity to play. Now these drawings, which are views from the arena floor, have been capsuled into this portfolio for you to enjoy.ERNIE BARNES THE DRAWINGS I. THE BOMB – There is as much beauty in the game of football as there is sweat and blood. Here is a classic example. The ball is in the air– spinning dust and sweat as it falls in an easy curve towards the receiver…with the quickness of a cat and the form of a ballet dancer, the receiver glides gracefully into the air on his way to pull in the brown leather. The glory is great if he catches it, but if he drops it, the disgrace is absolute. II. TWO LINEMAN – Behind the helmeted bars of pro football’s legendary linemen are men who thrive on physical contact. These men, all of whom have surpassed their growth potential, show a cool disregard for the hand to hand battle in the line. They learned early – from the time they began to play – that one need not cringe from contact and that one need fear no one, regardless of size or mouth. III. THE PULLING GUARDS – Here the big strong guards pullout to sweep a path for the violent evasive action of the ball carrier. I’ve been asked many times: “What do guards think about when they pull out of line to hit somebody?” My answer: “Running through him.” Maybe a better reply can be seen on the faces of the guards here. IV. THE HAND-OFF – I have always thought of the pro quarterback as being much like a matador and the big men surrounding him in violent conflict as powerful bulls. Armed with only his courage and a knowledge of all the complexities of a modern pro defense, the quarterback in this drawing hands off to a charging back as he drives hard towards the wall of bone and muscle. V. TO KNOW DEFEAT – There is little one can say about what it feels to lose. Defeat is a personal thing, and in it each man must suffer in his own way.

Price: 5000 USD

Location: Farmington, Michigan

End Time: 2025-02-13T15:48:47.000Z

Shipping Cost: 15 USD