The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 17, 2026

A vertically oriented color photograph depicts Muhammad Ali, a man with medium skin tone. Posed from the chest up, he looks toward our right with lips pressed together, wearing an ornate gold crown with red velvet, green and red jewels, and a white fur band. A red robe with white fur lining drapes over his left shoulder, exposing a thin yellow cord. An intricate red and blue patterned textile fills the background behind him.

Muhammad Ali Portrait for Cover of 'Sports Illustrated'

1968, printed 2012

Phillip Leonian

(American, 1927–2016)
America
inkjet print
Image: 48.3 x 33 cm (19 x 13 in.)
Gift of the Leonian Charitable Trust 2024.114
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

In 1967,Muhammad Ali declared himself a conscientious objector for religious reasons and refused to be drafted into the United States military, which was fighting in Vietnam.

Description

The teaser text on the cover of Sports Illustrated that accompanied this image read “Ali—Clay: The Once—and Future?—King.” The king of boxing had been convicted of draft evasion, sentenced to five years in prison, and banned from boxing. He was awaiting the outcome of his appeal when this portrait was made. In 1971 the Supreme Court overturned his conviction, and he returned to boxing, twice more reclaiming the heavyweight championship.
  • {{cite web|title=Muhammad Ali Portrait for Cover of 'Sports Illustrated'|url=false|author=Phillip Leonian|year=1968, printed 2012|access-date=17 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2024.114