Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but also had an unparalleled and iconic influence on artistic culture and image-making.
Warhol had a longstanding love of dance. During his time as a commercial artist, he often drew dancers and contributed many drawings to Dance Magazine -- including two covers. By the 1950s, the ballet world was a thriving social scene in New York City. Dance represented glamour and romance for Warhol, and he created drawings, dance diagrams, films, videos, and photographs related to the activity.
This untitled ink blot drawing depicts ballet dancer Igor Youskevitch. Of Russian-Ukrainian descent, Youskevitch put down roots in New York when he joined the American Ballet Theatre in 1946. He remained active in the New York art and social scene until 1971, when he accepted a teaching role in Texas.
Leaning against a wall, the figure stares down with his legs carefully poised. A spotlight casts hard shadows of his form, emphasizing the position of each limb. Rendered in delicate ink blots, the portrait conveys a quiet moment and soft posture, a dancer at rest.
While this portrait speaks to Warhol's love of dance in its subject, it also conveys the characteristic delicate, sensual studies that he produced in the 1950s--during his early years.
In recent years, there has been new scholarship and commercial interest in these early works created prior to Pop Art. Taschen, the legendary art book publisher, released Andy Warhol: Love, Sex and Desire 1950-1962, which celebrates his drawings of the male form - and inspired a new generation of collectors and curators to re-examine this material.
As the Warhol market continues to accelerate, there are fewer examples of unique, original works in circulation.
Questions about this piece? Contact us, call +1.416.704.1720, or visit our Toronto gallery.
Untitled (Portrait of Igor Youskevitch)
USA, c. 1955
Blotted ink line drawing on paper
Stamped verso by the estate of Andy Warhol and the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc., with archive no. TOP 294.033
14.25"H 12.25”W (work)
24.75"H 23.5"W (framed)
Very good condition
Provenance:
The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York
Daniel Blau, Munich
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