Warhol Polaroids of Tennis Greats.

While scanning through the New York Times, I caught this brief review of a current exhibition at Danzinger Projects in New York City of famous athletes shot on Polaroids by Andy Warhol during the late 1970s and early 80s.

The photos include a glamorous Chris Evert, John McEnroe and Tatum O’Neal during happier times, and the late Vitas Gerulaitis.

Also in the mix are Muhammed Ali, Dorothy Hamil, Pele, Jack Nicklaus, Wayne Gretsky, and O.J. Simpson.

Warhol’s shots, though simplistic, also glorify their subjects with candid accuracy. Taken in a time before internet news and ESPN, the images allow the viewer a brief glimpse into the lives of these great athletes that only Warhol could pull off.

My favorite of all is the McEnroe/O’Neal photo. Something about their eyes, and what isn’t being revealed, that makes one what to know more about them.