by Catherine Ursillo
Photography : black & white edition
50.8 x 61 cm 20 x 24 inch
One of the last works available by this artist
Second NOT DISPLAYED BLUR TEXT
Free returns within 14 days
Authenticity guaranteed
Learn moreSecure payment
About the artwork
Type
Numbered and limited to 150 copies
20 copies available
Signature
Signed artwork
Authenticity
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the gallery
Invoice from the gallery
Dimensions cm • inch
50.8 x 61 cm 20 x 24 inch Height x Width x Depth
Support
Framing
Not framed
Tags
Artwork sold in perfect condition
Artwork location: United States
Limited edition art photography
Silver Gelatin Print developed from original negatives
20x24 in. Limited Edition of 150
Signed: signed, numbered
Certificate of Authenticity by artist.
Made to order 2- 4 weeks
Offered by MODERN ART ETC, LOS ANGELES
This “End of Fight” photo shows the crowd going wild when Ali lost to Joe Frazier, with officials and people jumping into the ring. This is a rare, never before published, photo of that moment in time. There are few photos that captured artistically, the electrifying, end of fight moment in time in such proximity. The ring stage is illuminated, sweat and air particles visible, crowd in distance in subtle contrasts with hallowed scene of action.
This “Fight of the Century” as it was known, was a breathtaking anticipation of a heavyweight championship fight in the golden years of boxing, which pitted two fighters, both of whom were undefeated, within the build-up fervor reflecting socio- political tensions of that time - the opposing stances among rival supporters in a divided nation, for or against the Vietnam War.
Even for non-boxing fans, this event and picture represents one of the great moments in history, viewed by many around the world.
On the evening of the match, a star-studded crowd watched two of the greatest fighters who ever lived battle for supremacy in the world’s premier sports arena. Madison Square Garden had a circus-like atmosphere, with scores of policemen to control the crowd, outrageously dressed fans, and countless celebrities, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Mandela, JFK Jr when he was 11.
Per writer and author, KIERAN MULVANEY, History channel:
“Everybody who was anybody was there,” remembered boxing historian Bert Sugar. “They were scalping hundred-dollar tickets for a thousand dollars outside … There were people coming in with white ermine coats and matching hats, and that was just the guys. Limousines lined up at Madison Square Garden for what seemed like 50 blocks.”
“It wasn’t a normal fight crowd, even for a heavyweight title fight,” recalls Ryan, author of On Someone Else’s Nickel: A Life in Television, Sports, and Travel. “Here, you had people like the Cardinal of New York. There, you had the superstars like Diana Ross. Frank Sinatra was a ringside photographer for Life Magazine. Burt Lancaster was the color commentator on the TV pay-per-view.”
The fight was sold, and broadcast by closed circuit, to 50 countries in 12 languages via ringside reporters to an audience estimated at 300 million, a record viewership for a television event at that time.
A philosophical lesson from this event, iconic and relevant as ever: even when Ali lost, he emerged a winner, because he fought magnificently and there was no shame in losing the way he did.
“They wanted a crucifixion, but if they think that is what they got they are bad judges of the genre,” the late Hugh McIlvanney wrote the next day in the Guardian. “The big man came out bigger than he went in.” - AP news.
“It’s a good feeling to lose,” Ali said. “The people who follow you are going to lose, too. You got to set an example of how to lose. This way they can see how I lose. It’ll be old news a week from now. Plane crashes, a president assassinated, a civil rights leader assassinated, people forget in two weeks. Old news.”
About the seller
Professional art gallery • United States
Artsper seller since 2019
Vetted Seller
Imagine it at home
![Catherine Ursillo, Icons - Fight of the Century - End of Fight - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, 1971, Silver Gelatin Print Catherine Ursillo, Icons - Fight of the Century - End of Fight - Joe Frazier vs. Muhammad Ali, 1971, Silver Gelatin Print](https://media.artsper.com/artwork/1251672_1_l.jpg)
Presentation
Catherine began her professional photographic career as a staff photographer for the anti-war paper The New York Free Press and worked for newspapers and magazines covering the political crisis of the 70s.
She has exhibited her work in the U.S. and Europe, with one-woman shows at Nikon Gallery, Soho Photos, (she was a founding member of Soho Photo), Forum, Trade Center Gallery and others. Group shows have included Leica Gallery, First Woman's Bank, MIT, United Nations, Museum of Natural History, Museum of the City of New York and others.
She also represented OXFAM on a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Australia.
Select Collection:
Museum of the City of New York
She is represented by Modern Art Etc, Los Angeles.
Find this artist and many more in our collection of works by sport photographers.
Protect your purchase
We’re here to help you collect art securely. When you browse and buy on Artsper, you benefit from our guaranteed protections.
Buy works from the best galleries
We partner with the best art galleries. All sellers on Artsper have been carefully reviewed and approved by our team. All of our partner galleries respect our code of ethics.
Know what you’re getting
Each work on Artsper is studied and validated by our team before appearing online. Get personalized support Contemporary art specialists are available by phone and email to answer all of your questions about our works of art. Get personalized advice and curated suggestions for your collection.
Resell your artworks
As a private individual, you have the possibility to resell on Artsper your works acquired on Artsper. For more information click here.
Make an offer with Artsper
Negotiate prices
Price negotiation is possible. Like in a gallery, this allows you to open a discussion and purchase your works at your preferred price.
Get our help negotiating
Let our team handle the negotiations and get back to you once the best deal is made.
Order safely
Artsper’s satisfaction guarantee
With Artsper, you have the opportunity to return a work free of charge within 14 days of receipt if it does not suit you, for whatever reason. You will then receive a full refund for your order.
Protect your purchase with Artsper’s payment partners
All credit card payments are processed by Paybox, the trusted leader in payment processing for international businesses. Paybox ensures the highest level of security.
Get specialized support from Artsper in the event of a problem
On the rare occasion that a work of art arrives in a different condition than described, we will work to administer a return, refund, restoration or exchange for you. Our team will always keep you informed on the progress of your request and will go above and beyond to offer you personalized solutions.
To benefit from Artsper’s protections you must:
-
Place your order using one of Artsper's payment methods.
-
Report any issues to Artsper within one week of receiving your work.
-
Provide all requested photographic evidence of the problem (including the original artwork and packaging).
Artsper’s guarantee covers the following problems:
-
You receive a work that’s missing a described characteristic (such as a signature or a frame)
-
You receive a work with different characteristics than those described at the time of purchase
-
You receive a damaged piece of work
-
Your purchase is declared lost or damaged during transit
-
You receive a work that is a different in color than what you ordered
-
Your purchase is delayed
Artsper gives you access to the largest catalog of contemporary artworks, from the best galleries (200,000 works, 25,000 artists, 2,000 partner galleries).
We select the galleries with which we collaborate. This demanding selection, operated by our team of experts, offers you several guarantees:
- Double expertise regarding the quality and originality of the works. On the one hand by professional galleries that select their artists and works. On the other hand by Artsper which selects its partner galleries according to the quality of their catalog and their reputation.
- Access to the entire catalog of works from our partner galleries, sold at the same price as in the gallery.
- The possibility of returning purchased works (within 14 days) if they do not suit you, wherever you are in the world. Which is not the case outside Artsper.
- The possibility of easily reselling the work you purchased on Artsper.
We also facilitate the search for works according to your preferences thanks to our intelligent features such as:
- Your custom selection, created based on your tastes;
- Your custom universe, choose from our different universes the one that suits you and access selections of works!
Or simply thanks to our filters on the catalog allowing you to refine your searches.
Our customer service is also at your service and responds within the shortest time!
For some artworks, you can negotiate the price. If the price of the work is negotiable, you have a “Make an offer” button under the “Buy this work” one.
To submit your offer, you must make a payment of the desired amount. Your offer will then be forwarded to the gallery, which reserves the right to accept or reject it. If your offer is accepted, it means that your order is confirmed by the gallery and they will prepare the artwork for shipment. If your offer is rejected, you will be refunded the total amount paid automatically. The gallery can also propose a counter-offer for the acquisition of the artwork.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us: [email protected].
Artsper delivers worldwide!
However, please note that once your order reaches its destination, it may be subject to VAT or other customs fees. These charges are beyond our control and you will be responsible for paying them (this is indicated at the ‘checkout’ first step).
Select the delivery address of your choice. Please make sure that someone is present to receive your order.
If your billing address is different to your delivery address you can specify this at the checkout.
You can return the artwork without needing to provide a reason or pay a penalty fee up to 14 days after receiving your order.
In the case that the right of withdrawal is exercised in the aforementioned time frame, the price of the artwork(s) purchased and the shipping costs will be reimbursed by us as soon as the gallery has received the artwork and notified us.
Artsper will manage the return of the work and will bear the cost of returns (which will either be paid by you and refunded by Artsper or directly paid by Artsper).
The artwork must be returned in perfect condition and in its original packaging (or equivalent).
The buyer exercises his right of withdrawal directly from MUMART, by sending an email to the address: [email protected].
If you have bought a painting, a sculpture or a work on paper, find expert advice on its conservation and how to best enhace it: