Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only helped to define Pop Art, but has made a profound and enduring effect on artists and image-making around the globe.
From the inception of his career in the 1950s to his final works in 1987, printmaking played a key role in Warhol’s practice. From his first years in New York City, as an ambitious commercial illustrator, Warhol used stylized flowers in many of his designs whether in unique drawings or in advertisements. Of course in 1964 he debuted his iconic Flowers series, a true highlight of his career and the era.
In focusing on a single subject and repeating it across mediums, Warhol referenced commercial and mechanical forms of reproduction commonly used in advertising and the media at large. Other than demonstrating his mastery of and passion for printmaking, the Flowers images embody Warhol's core tenant, engaging with questions of appropriation and production that are central to an understanding of his work as a whole.
Exactly a decade later Warhol produced the Hand Colored Flowers series using black screenprinted outlines and watercolor fill. The compositions are evocative of 19th century Japanese woodblock prints of delicately arranged flowers.
The Hand Colored Flowers series is reminiscent of Warhol's early 1950s illustrations and prints. While the aesthetic is quite different, the approach and execution is quite similar. The outlines are printed, but the elements of color are added by hand.
As a result, each print differs slightly in hue and tone. Despite the beauty and elegance of this series, is less well known than other Warhol work from the 1970s. It is also relatively affordable compared to other Warhol prints from the era. One of the reasons for its affordability is that many examples from the edition have faded, to the point the hand colored elements have completely vanished. Click here and here to see another example from this series. This is a fantastic impression with bold, bright coloring. The vibrancy and intensity of the color is quite impressive and unusual. Compare this example to the one held by the Whitney Museum.
Today the Hand Colored Flowers portfolio is held in many prestigious institutional collections including the Art Institute of Chicago; the MoMA, and the National Gallery.
Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto gallery.
"Flowers (Hand-colored) VI"
From a portfolio of ten hand-colored screenprints, of the same name
USA, 1974
Screenprint with hand-colored watercolor on ivory wove paper
Initialed in graphite, lower right
Signed and numbered in pencil, verso
From an edition of 250
Printed by Alexander Heinrici, Studio Heinrici
Published by Peter M. Brant, Andy Warhol Multiples, Inc., Castelli Graphics
41"H 27.25"W (sheet)
42.75"H 30.5"W (framed)
Catalogue Raisonné: Feldman & Schellmann II.115 I/I
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