Andy Warhol (1928-1987) (after) - "Guns, 1981-82" - (75x90cm)

- Andy Warhol (after), art print/poster on heavyweight smooth matte paper (approx. 250gsm - refers to paper thickness/density).

- Authorized edition. Copyright The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Inc. 2013

- Stamp on verso.

- Size: 75 x 90 cm

- Condition: excellent. Never framed, never exposed.

- Andy Warhol, born in 1928 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His work often explored the intersections of art, celebrity culture, and consumerism. Warhol's use of silkscreen printing techniques allowed him to reproduce images of everyday objects and famous personalities, blurring the lines between fine art and mass production. His iconic works, such as the Campbell's Soup Cans, Marilyn Monroe portraits, and the Brillo Boxes, reflect his fascination with consumer goods and the commodification of fame.

Warhol’s works are highly valued in the art market, with pieces like Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster) selling for over $105 million in 2013 and his Shot Sage Blue Marilyn achieving $195 million in 2022. His influence on contemporary art and culture remains profound, and his pieces continue to command high prices at auction.

"Guns" is part of a series created by Andy Warhol between 1981 and 1982, focusing on the motif of the gun. The artwork you provided features a stark, almost clinical depiction of a revolver against a bold red background. Warhol’s choice of subject matter reflects his fascination with violence, death, and the darker aspects of American culture. The use of silkscreen printing and the repetition of the image echo his earlier works, but with a more somber and serious tone.

The series is often seen as Warhol's commentary on the pervasiveness of firearms and their role in society, highlighting both their allure and the danger they represent. The bold, flat colors and the mechanical reproduction of the image remove any personal touch, emphasizing the cold, impersonal nature of the subject.

The Guns series, like much of Warhol’s later work, delves into themes of mortality and the darker side of fame and society, possibly influenced by his own experiences, such as the near-fatal shooting he survived in 1968.

In summary, Andy Warhol’s "Guns" series from 1981-82 is a powerful exploration of violence and mortality, rendered in his signature Pop Art style. The work reflects his continued interest in the interplay between celebrity, culture, and death, and it remains a significant part of his later oeuvre. Warhol’s pieces, including this series, continue to captivate audiences and collectors alike, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in modern art.

Andy Warhol stands alongside other major modern masters such as Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg or Claes Oldenburg. By transforming images from mass media, advertising, and celebrity culture into art, Warhol radically redefined the boundaries between high art and popular culture, shaping the visual language of the contemporary world.

Warhol is regarded as an icon of 20th-century visual culture, comparable to other major cultural figures such as Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat, David Hockney or Jeff Koons, both for his immense cultural impact and for the consistently strong international demand and exceptional market valuation of his work.