Though it may be hard to believe, we have officially entered the final week of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Opened on June 26, the international sporting event officially concludes August 11, 2024.
Sports and athletics have long been a potent source of inspiration, dating all the way back to the Ancient Games when Classical Greek artists carved idealized monuments of athletes. Today, much like the events of the games, the influences of sports can be seen across myriad contemporary mediums by artists from around the world. Below, we’ve gathered a selection of works that perfectly evoke the themes and motifs of all things sportsmanship and athletics going—well after this year’s Olympics have ended.
And this is just a small sampling of what can be found on the Artnet Gallery Network, where you can easily discover what galleries from around the world have to offer from your own computer or device.
Harry Gruyaert, Untitled (1972)
Harry Gruyaert, Untitled (1972). Courtesy of Gallery Fifty One, Antwerp.
Paolo Costa, Giro d’Italia – Fausto Coppi (1952)
Paolo Costa, Giro d’Italia – Fausto Coppi (1952). Courtesy of Noir Blanche, Düsseldrof.
Frederick B. Serger, Young Boxer (n.d.)
Frederick B. Serger, Young Boxer (n.d.). Courtesy of Kunstberatung Zürich.
Olaf Heine, Laird Hamilton (Bamboo) (2018)
Olaf Heine, Laird Hamilton (Bamboo) (2018). Courtesy of Camera Work, Berlin.
Christopher Thomas, Bittersweet (2015)
Christopher Thomas, Bittersweet (2015). Courtesy of Ira Stehmann Fine Art, Munich.
Kenton Nelson, Home Court (2021)
Kenton Nelson, Home Court (2021). Courtesy of Galerie Ruzicska, Salzburg.
Michael von Hessel, Olympiastadion E Berlin (2018)
Michael von Hessel, Olympiastadion E Berlin (2018). Courtesy of Anna Laudel, Istanbul / Düsseldorf / Bodrum.
Katharina Brandl, Everlast (2012)
Katharina Brandl, Everlast (2012). Courtesy of Forum Presents, Linz.
Paolo Canevari, Olympic Circles (2000)
Paolo Canevari, Olympic Circles (2000). Courtesy of Cardi Gallery, Milan.
David Hockney, Olympic Pool (1970)
David Hockney, Olympic Pool (1970). Courtesy of Maddox Gallery, London / Gstaad.
Walter Iooss Jr., Cloud Diver, Boca Raton, FL (1990)
Walter Iooss Jr., Cloud Diver, Boca Raton, FL (1990). Courtesy of Bruce Silverstein, New York.
Jacob Lawrence, Olympische Spiele Muenchen (The Runners) (1972)
Jacob Lawrence, Olympische Spiele Muenchen (The Runners) (1972). Courtesy of RoGallery, Long Island City.
Explore these artworks and more with the Artnet Gallery Network.