Andy Warhol
Portrait of Marcel Proust
Circa 1976

About the Item

Andy Warhol 1928-1987 American Portrait of Proust Screenprint on paper laid on canvas Created by legendary Pop artist Andy Warhol, Portrait of Marcel Proust holds a special place in the prolific artist's oeuvre. Commissioned by art dealer Marie-Louise Jeanneret for a group of Italian collectors and avid Proust enthusiasts, Warhol's four acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen prints were based on a famous 1895 photograph of the French novelist captured by Otto Wegener. This screenprint of Warhol's original composition, the only work on paper of its kind, utilizes vivid orangey-yellow ink in place of the black and white tones of the original photograph, a continuation of his dedication to reinvigorating iconic historical photographs and pop culture. This particular portrait of Proust reveals stylistic and thematic parallels with Warhol's paintings of his mother from the same year. Though the portrait of his mother is rendered in a cool blue and violet-toned pallet, both works showcase extensive finger painting. This symbolism points to Warhol's intellectual and emotional connection between his own mother and Proust's relationship with his own mother, affectionately referred to as "Maman" throughout his writing. Marcel Proust, the distinguished French novelist, literary critic, and essayist, achieved renowned for his monumental 1908 seven-volume novel In Search of Lost Time. The literary masterpiece delved into the intricacies of memory, time and the profound complexity of the human experience. Proust's literary genius revolutionized the landscape of literature, leaving an enduring impact on the Parisian cultural scene at the turn of the century. About 50 years later, Andy Warhol emerged as a visionary artist who challenged artistic conventions, exploring themes that resonated with Proust's own ideas. Warhol, a trailblazer in his own right, delved into philosophical reflections on consumerism, mass production and the nature of fame. His artistic endeavors mirrored Proust's explorations, albeit through a contemporary lens, as he sought to redefine the boundaries of art and popular culture. One of the most iconic artists in history, Warhol was known for making art his “brand” and raising questions about originality and reproduction, as well as the nature of celebrity, persona and outward image. Born Andrej Varhola, Jr. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, Warhol first made a name for himself as a commercial artist, quickly becoming one of the most successful illustrators of his time. He won numerous awards for his work from the Art Directors Club and the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and his clients included Tiffany & Co., the New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and others. It was in the late 1950s that he focused more of his attention on his painting. The artist's 1962 series of Campbell's soup cans created a sensation in the art world and launched him into the realm of celebrity. His iconic studio, painted silver and known as the Factory, became the place to be in New York. Surrounding himself with an ever-rotating group of hipsters and starlets like The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground and Edie Sedgwick, he also extended his talents into other fields such as film, publishing, writing, television and music. Except for a brief period in the mid-1960s, he would continue to paint until the end of his life. He was a mentor and inspiration to such artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat, and by the time of his death, he was one of the most prolific and well-known artists the world had ever seen. Portrait of Marcel Proust serves as a rare window into Warhol’s later profound autobiographical works. Circa 1976 Screenprint: 50 1/2" high x 38 1/2" wide Frame: 53 3/8" high x 41 1/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep

Creator:
Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987, American)
Creation Year:
Circa 1976
Dimensions:
Height: 53.38 in (135.59 cm)Width: 41.25 in (104.78 cm)Depth: 2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Medium:
Canvas,Paper,Screen
Movement & Style:
Post-Impressionist
Period:
20th Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
New Orleans, LA
Reference Number:
Seller: 31-72811stDibs: LU18612601142
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Andy Warhol

The name of American artist Andy Warhol is all but synonymous with Pop art, the movement he helped shape in the 1960s. He was phenomenally prolific, and the archive of original photography, prints, drawings, paintings and other art that he left behind is beyond vast.

Andy Warhol is known for his clever appropriation of motifs and images from popular advertising and commercials, which he integrated into graphic, vibrant works that utilized mass-production technologies such as printmaking, photography and silkscreening. Later in his career, Warhol expanded his oeuvre to include other forms of media, founding Interview magazine and producing fashion shoots and films on-site at the Factory, his world-famous studio in New York.

Born and educated in in Pittsburgh, Warhol moved to New York City in 1949 and built a successful career as a commercial illustrator. Although he made whimsical drawings as a hobby during these years, his career as a fine artist began in the mid-1950s with ink-blot drawings and hand-drawn silkscreens. The 1955 lithograph You Can Lead a Shoe to Water illustrates how he incorporated in his artwork advertising styles and techniques, in this case shoe commercials.

As a child, Warhol was often sick and spent much of his time in bed, where he would make sketches and put together collections of movie-star photographs. He described this period as formative in terms of his skills and interests. Indeed, Warhol remained obsessed with celebrities throughout his career, often producing series devoted to a famous face or an object from the popular culture, such as Chairman Mao or Campbell’s tomato soup. The 1967 silkscreen Marilyn 25 embodies his love of bright color and famous subjects.

Warhol was a prominent cultural figure in New York during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. The Factory was a gathering place for the era’s celebrities, writers, drag queens and fellow artists, and collaboration was common. To this day, Warhol remains one of the most important artists of the 20th century and continues to exert influence on contemporary creators.

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