This rare, historic painting by Ernie Barnes embodies the artist's dual interests in sports and art. The writing on the back of the canvas also offers an incredible insight into a third area of Barnes's life—his connection to the film and music industry. It is an inscription and drawing by actor Jack Palance, the original owner of the painting, who gifted the work to his niece Lilly. Barnes led a truly extraordinary life, growing up in the Jim Crow South and attending segregated schools before going on to become one of the most accomplished and beloved artists America has ever known. After suffering socially as a chubby, shy youth, Barnes had a life changing experience in high school when a masonry teacher, who was also the weightlifting coach, found him drawing alone and was impressed with what he saw in his sketchbook. The mentorship in both art and athletics Barnes received from that teacher led Barnes on a path to artistic mastery and athletic prowess. He studied art in college while on a football scholarship, and went on to play professional football for six seasons, playing for the Baltimore Colts, New York Titans, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a Canadian Football League team. After a career ending injury, Barnes lobbied the NFL to hire him as the league's official artist. Although he did not receive that job, he was hired by New York Jets owner Sonny Werblin, who paid Barnes a player's salary to be a painter. Barnes abhorred the violence associated with football, but reveled in its inherent drama, an intersection evident in many of his most iconic paintings, including this untitled work. Barnes did not only paint football paintings; he also painted scenes from many other sports, as well as scenes of Black American life. One of his most famous paintings, The Sugar Shack, was used in the TV series Good Times and was also featured on a Marvin Gaye album cover.