Andy Warhol: From Pop Art to Screen Prints and Lithographs

A well-known Warhol quote reads: "In the future everyone will be world-famous for fifteen minutes." One of the most esteemed artists of the twentieth century has lasted much longer than 15 minutes and today owning one of his works means you can fully appreciate this eclectic genius.

Andy, a Point of Reference for the 20th Century

Andy, born in 1928, is considered by critics as one of the most important pop art figures, but also on of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. When he moved to the Big Apple as a young artist he quickly took the opportunities that the city could offer him, soon becoming a point of reference for the artists of the time, as well as much sought-after artists among gallery owners.

Warhol boasts an eclectic body of work. Some of his works are considered masterpieces of the twentieth century, from the serigraphs of Marilyn Monroe to the cans of Campbell soup and the portraits of Mao. But Andy's artistic career was not limited to these great pieces that belong to the collective imagination.  In addition to his major works there are serigraphs and lithographs, which bear testament to his brilliance and the eclectic nature of his art.

Screen Printing

Andy Warhol may be best know for a handful of iconic works, but collectors also know that his screen printing work is highly valuable. “Birth of Venus”, in particular, is a unique piece featuring the well-known Botticelli painting. Andy applies the technique he used in the Marilyn paintings, deconstructing and then expressing his own personal interpretation of color. The screen prints - this work in particular - are characterized by daring combinations and vivid shades.

“Birth of Venus” (1984) is available in four different versions which vary in shades and expression of color:

• FSI 316 features a fuchsia-haired Venus on a bottle green background
• FSI 317 it is dominated by cold colors, in particular by the purple of the background
• FSI 318 is characterized by strong chromatic contrasts between the light background and the skin of Venus
  FSI 319 is the version that most recalls the original Botticelli with Venus’ rosy complexion and the celestial background strongly resembling the painting housed at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence

Andy Warhol’s outstanding screen-prints are truly exceptional and merit a space in private collections.

Warhol's Lithographs 

We’ve talked about the screen prints but we must also mention the value of the lithographs that the artist passionately dedicated himself over the course of his life. Among the lithographs most appreciated and sought after by art lovers and collectors are the ones depicting rulers of the time:

• Queen Elizabeth II of England of the ruler who has written a piece of UK history
• Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland: passing from one queen to another, this Andy Warhol lithograph is a riot of colors
• Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands: Completing the royal triptych is Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, an important figure for her country and for Europe

When you take home an Andy Warhol screen print or lithograph you’re adding a valuable piece of art to your colletion, one that represents a lesser known, but equally prestigious part the father of Pop Art’s body of work.