“Golden Eight” Collection of Signed Michael Phelps Paintings Unveiled
TMX contributed to this article. McClatchy is compensated as a part of our syndication partnership with TMX. McClatchy's Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Edited By Chase Clements, COMMERCE CONTENT OPERATIONS MANAGER
An incredible collection of eight paintings signed by Michael Phelps is being offered for sale as the 2024 Summer Olympics continue.
The “Golden Eight’‘ highlights Phelps’ timeless impact on the Olympic legacy and his lasting mark on the sports world.
Michael Phelps is the No. 1 athlete of the 21st century, according to ESPN. The swimming legend was the flag bearer in 2016 for team USA and is rumored to be the leading candidate to light the torch at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, just as Muhammad Ali did in Atlanta in 1996.
This exclusive, private collection is the only known collection of eight oil paintings, all signed by Michael Phelps, that signify the eight gold medals Phelps won in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The “Golden Eight” truly captures one of the greatest moments in U.S. sports history as Phelps grew to become the most decorated Olympian of all time, having won a record 28 medals, 23 of which were gold.
Rowdy Gaines, who in the 1980s was the fastest swimmer on the planet and now is a swimming analyst for NBC, expressed awe at Brian Fox’s ability to depict Michael Phelps’ athletic prowess.
See The Golden Eight Collection Video
“These paintings literally capture those emotions that I felt broadcasting it. It’s the pitch of his hands when he’s swimming. If you take the photo with the backstroke, it’s literally perfect down to the movement of where his hands are placed. You can sense the actual breath that he is taking and why,” Gaines said.
“And in the butterfly photos, each muscle is defined perfectly. It’s literally like you can feel them,” Gaines said. “This is real life. This is what happens in the pool.”
The current asking price for the full or partial collection is $250,000 per painting, with 30% of the sale proceeds going to charity. For information or to inquire about acquiring these works of art, please contact [email protected].
The collection is painted by Brian Fox, a highly acclaimed artist known nationwide for his expertise in capturing athletes and celebrities on the canvas. Fox has painted some of the biggest icons of our time including the late Jackie Robinson, Steven Tyler and Muhammad Ali, among many others.
“Fox not only captured the essence of Phelps in these paintings, but also captures his unforgettable legacy that will transcend through generations,” said Todd Patkin, the owner of this remarkable collection. “These paintings are not just portraits; they serve as a powerful reminder of one of the greatest moments in our sporting history.”
Some of Fox’s earlier works are among the most sought after in sports art, including a one-of-a-kind “Miracle on Ice” painting capturing the historic moment the young American Olympic hockey team shocked the world by beating the heavily-favored Soviet team in 1980. That painting, signed by all U.S. hockey team members, embodies what has been called the top sports moment of the entire 20th century by Sports Illustrated.
Solve the daily Crossword

