A Bust of Boxer Joe Louis by Mahonri Young

Mahonri Young (American, 1877–1957)Bust of Boxer Joe Louis, c. 1929Painted plaster10½ × 8 × 12 in. This expressive bust captures the strength and quiet resolve of Joe Louis, one of the most celebrated boxers in American history. Created by renowned Utah-born sculptor Mahonri Young during a 1929 residency in Los Angeles, the piece reflects a pivotal period in both the artist’s and the athlete’s careers. While collaborating with Twentieth Century Fox, Young spent evenings sketching at the famed Main Street Gym—then a haven for both amateur and professional fighters. These sketches evolved into a powerful series of boxing-themed sculptures, including this portrait. Joe Louis began his professional career in 1934 and quickly rose to prominence with a string of decisive victories. His rematch win against Max Schmeling in 1938, widely seen as a symbolic victory over Nazi ideology, secured his place as a national hero. Louis became one of the first Black Americans to receive widespread admira