Rome 1960. Jesse Owens © L'Équipe September 1960. Jesse... Lot 56

Rome 1960. Jesse Owens © L'Équipe September 1960. Jesse Owens is 47 years old, a legend in the history of sport and in history itself. His face bore the same almost ingenuous smile as it had 24 years earlier, when he triumphed at the Berlin Games, facing Nazi dignitaries in their uniforms and racism. Winner of the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m, the grandson of slaves was probably not celebrated as he should have been in his country. But in 1955, President Eisenhower appointed him ambassador and Owens' smile reappeared in the stadiums, here at the Rome Games, where he congratulated German 100m champion Armin Hary. Twenty years later, it was cancer that defeated Jesse Owens. What remains is the legend. And that smile. Single later print. Edition 1/1. Black and white piezographic print on Hahnemühle FineArt Baryta Satin 300g paper. Flamant art frame. 40 x 60 cm