A felt-tip pen drawing by the late boxer Muhammad Ali Clay has sold for more than $425,000 at an auction of his little-known artwork, some of which exceeded several times estimates.
The painting “Sting Like Bee” or “Sting Like a Bee”, which he drew on paper in 1978, was the most requested of more than 20 paintings and drawings of the former heavyweight champion, reflecting his interest in religion, social justice and his career as a boxer. Estimates prior to the sale were between $40,000 and $60,000.
It read: “Fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee!” It is said by a boxer who lost to a competitor who raised his arms high as a sign of his victory. Ali is famous for using this phrase to describe his style of boxing.
According to Bonhams Auctions, 26 paintings by Muhammad Ali sold for a total of $945,524, more than three times the minimum initial estimate. Bonhams said the “Sting Like Bee” was purchased by an Ali collector who lives in Britain. Other buyers have not been identified.
Ali’s passion for drawing was not well known, but he loved drawing as a way to relax after matches or training. Some of the works for sale were traditional landscape paintings, while others were cartoon-like character illustrations.
A painting he painted in 1979 in red, white and blue on canvas with the inscription “I love you, America” was sold for $150,000, while a drawing of Ali’s calligraphy in 1967 comparing Islam and Christianity was sold for $24,000.
Ali’s paintings and drawings up for auction came from the collection of Rodney Hilton Brown, who worked with Ali on his artwork.
The former world heavyweight champion announced his conversion to Islam in 1964 after winning the title for the first time when he was called Cassius Clay. He passed away in 2016 at the age of 74 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease (Parkinson’s disease).
Sketches by late boxer Muhammad Ali fetch knockout prices at New York auction https://t.co/hI2bPUHJ8L pic.twitter.com/olWo0ZLuFr
— AsiaOne (@asiaonecom) October 6, 2021