Marcus Chen
While Sylvester Stallone is best known for his acting career, he has also been a painter for decades, signing his early works as Mike Stallone. Stallone's paintings have been exhibited at the State Russian Museum in St Petersburg, the Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain in Nice, and the Osthaus Museum Hagen in Germany. His artistic output includes self-portraits, one of which is said to have helped usher in his acting career, as well as paintings of actors James Dean and Michael Jackson, and writer Edgar Allen Poe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Sylvester Stallone |
| Year | 1975 |
| Subject | Self-portrait of Rocky Balboa |
| Inspiration | Intrigue in the idolized mythological male figures Stallone saw in museums as a teenager |
| Technique | Bold colours, heavy brush marks, thick lines, chaotic harmony, and themes of urban decay and masculine reflection |
| Exhibition | Osthaus Museum in Hagen, Germany |
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What You'll Learn
Sylvester Stallone's self-portrait of Rocky Balboa
The American sports drama multimedia franchise, Rocky, was created by Sylvester Stallone. It is based on the life of Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The eponymous first film in the series was released in 1976, with Stallone in the titular role. The character of Rocky was written into a script and portrayed on screen by Stallone, but he also existed prior to this as a self-portrait in a painting created by Stallone.
The painting, titled 'Finding Rocky' (1975), is a self-portrait of Rocky Balboa created by Stallone before the original film was written or released. Stallone has said of the piece: "I made a self-portrait with a more defined 'pug face' than I had back then, but to capture his sadness, I switched the brush with a screwdriver and carved the eyes". The piece is now featured in a survey at the Osthaus Museum in Hagen, Germany, which showcases works from his early days as an actor and painter.
Stallone has portrayed many of his on-screen characters through his artwork, including popular ones like Rocky and Rambo. Stallone's artistic practice reflects the hyper-figuration of the 1980s East Village circuit he frequented, with bold colours and themes of urban decay and masculine reflection. Stallone's work also includes text and sprayed stencils, alluding to the street culture that gave him his first platform as an artist.
Stallone's paintings, including his self-portrait of Rocky, are signed with his name: 'Sylvester Stallone'.
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Stallone's artistic inspiration
Sylvester Stallone, the actor, writer, and director, ventured into the world of visual arts in the 1970s. Stallone's artistic inspiration dates back to his teenage years when he visited museums in New York and Philadelphia. He was intrigued by the idolized mythological male figures, such as Spartacus and Hercules, which paved the way for his interest in bodybuilding. Stallone's early exposure to creativity and entertainment, encouraged by his mother, an astrologer and former dancer, also played a role in his artistic pursuits.
Stallone's artwork reflects his admiration for hyper-masculine figures, with his paintings often featuring bold colours and themes of urban decay and masculine reflection. He has cited artists like Julian Schnabel and Keith Haring as influences, with his works bearing traces of the 1980s East Village circuit he frequented. Stallone's paintings are expressive and abstract, with a style that is described as action-packed, much like his movies.
Stallone's artistic side remained a discreet endeavour for many years, with his dealer, Galerie Gmurzynska co-owner Mathias Rastorfer, playing a pivotal role in bringing Stallone's paintings to the public eye. Despite initial hesitancy, Stallone's artistic talent has been recognised and celebrated, with his works offering a unique glimpse into his creative universe.
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Rocky's ascent of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps
In the Rocky films, the fictional boxer played by Sylvester Stallone ends his morning run with an ascent of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. This has become an iconic scene, with a near-constant flow of people visiting the museum to recreate the scene and take photos. Tens of thousands of people make the same trek up the steps every year, making it one of the world's most famous movie locations.
The statue of Rocky Balboa, with arms raised in triumph, was originally created for the film Rocky III in 1982. It was donated to the City of Philadelphia by Stallone, a former Philadelphian himself. The statue was moved to the bottom of the steps in 2006 to better accommodate visitors and has become a popular attraction, with people lining up to get their photos taken with the "Italian Stallion".
The ascent of the steps has come to symbolise the city of Philadelphia and its residents, representing the idea that an underdog can become a champion through hard work, determination, and hustle. This symbolism is important to Stallone, who has said that Rocky's ascent of the steps reflects Philadelphia as a city where "an underdog can become a champion".
Stallone, who wrote the Rocky films, is also an artist and has painted several canvases related to the films, including a self-portrait and paintings of key characters. His artistic practice reflects the hyper-figuration of the 1980s East Village circuit he frequented, with bold colours and themes of urban decay and masculine reflection.
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Rocky's artistic merit
While Sylvester Stallone is best known for his acting career, he has also been a painter for decades. His artistic merit can be examined through his painting "Rocky" (1975), which he created before writing the movie and serves as a self-portrait of the character Rocky Balboa. The painting is a significant piece in understanding Stallone's artistic vision and process.
Stallone's "Rocky" painting is a reflection of the artist's emotional state and personal experiences. The painting captures a sense of raw and conflicting emotions, with despair meeting euphoria and victory pairing with loss. This emotional rawness is a constant theme throughout Stallone's artistic survey, showcasing his ability to convey complex and contrasting feelings within a single artwork.
In terms of style, Stallone's "Rocky" painting demonstrates his unique approach to the canvas. The artwork features bold colours and thick lines, with bright brush marks sweeping through hefty bodies. Stallone has mentioned his appreciation for the work of Julian Schnabel and Keith Haring, and his own art reflects a similar chaotic harmony. The influence of hyper-figuration from the 1980s East Village circuit he frequented can also be seen in his work.
Stallone's artistic merit extends beyond just the "Rocky" painting. He has created several self-portraits and explored a variety of other subjects. His early drawings, such as an African warrior depicted on cardboard when he was just 10 years old, showcase his lifelong dedication to art. Stallone's work has been exhibited in museums and showcases, and his pieces reflect his interest in mythological male figures and street culture.
Stallone's artistic practice has had an impact on popular culture as well. In the "Rocky" movie series, a statue of the fictional boxer Rocky Balboa is unveiled in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This statue became a symbol of Philadelphia's spirit, where an underdog can become a champion. Stallone himself presented the statue to the city of Philadelphia, blurring the lines between his artistic and cinematic contributions.
While Stallone's artistic endeavours may be overshadowed by his acting career, his artwork, particularly the "Rocky" painting, reveals a talented and passionate artist. His unique style, emotional depth, and personal influences come together to create artwork that resonates with viewers and challenges perceptions of celebrity art.
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Stallone's other artistic works
Sylvester Stallone is a seasoned multi-hyphenate actor, writer, director, producer, and artist. Stallone's artwork underscores that even a seasoned multi-hyphenate action star can discover a fresh canvas for self-discovery in their third act. Stallone's paintings are characterised by vibrant colours and bold strokes, drawing inspiration from his cinematic experiences and personal journey.
Stallone's artwork was exhibited at TIFF in 2023, ahead of the streaming debut of the documentary 'Sly' on Netflix. The exhibition featured a dynamic blend of 12 paintings with some of his movie memorabilia, including the original script from the 1976 Rocky movie signed by Stallone to his mother. Stallone's paintings showcase a rawness of conflicting emotions, with despair meeting euphoria and victory pairing with loss. Bright brush marks sweep through hefty bodies rendered with thick lines.
Stallone's artistic journey began while he was studying at the University of Miami, where he sold his paintings on dime store-bought cardboards for a few dollars or the cost of a bus fare. His subjects depended on whatever inspired him at the time, whether it was a Beatles song or an Edgar Allen Poe piece. Despite his early efforts, Stallone faced frequent dismissal of his art, which he now considers a blessing in disguise as it allowed him to pursue acting as his primary career.
In recent years, Stallone has become more open about his artistic side, sharing images of his paintings on Instagram and even starring in a reality TV show alongside his wife and daughters. He has also started showing his work in institutions, with his first exhibition taking place at the State Russian Museum. Stallone's artwork provides a glimpse into his creative process and allows fans to connect with him on a more personal level.
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Frequently asked questions
Rocky, the painter, is Sylvester Stallone, who signed his early works as "Mike Stallone".
Rocky, or Sylvester Stallone, signed his early works as "Mike Stallone" because he was hesitant to publicly exhibit his paintings.
Rocky, or Sylvester Stallone, started painting at a young age. His very first drawing, at age 10, depicted an African warrior on cardboard.
Rocky's artwork has been exhibited at the State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg (2013), the Musee d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Nice (2015), and the Osthaus Museum Hagen in western Germany (2021).
