From 1968 to 1987 Andy Warhol often made portraits of artists, entrepreneurs, collectors, celebrities of all kinds. They are works produced for friends or made on commission. They are usually created by translating a Polaroid shot into screen printing, trying to interpret the character’s character through colors. With this wide series of figures that revolved around his Factory, Warhol imagined to create a sort of large fresco, a “portrait of society”.
Sandro Chia knew Andy Warhol well, being together with his colleague Francesco Clemente a Factory visitor. The white background and the diamond dust – which Warhol has reserved for a few portraits, such as that of Joseph Beuys – give the work an effect of sparkle and an impression of lightness.
Bibliography
David Bourdon, Warhol, NY 1989, p.390 (ill.)
“Warhol – Pop Society”, Genoa Palazzo Ducale Foundation for Culture 21 October 2016 – February 2017, by 24 Ore Cultura pag. 249
Warhol & Friend Palazzo Albergati Arthemisia pag 101
provenance
Emilio Mazzoli Gallery, Modena.
Private collection, Italy (ac. Directly from Mazzoli in 1993).
Private collection
Exhibitions
Venice, Palazzo Grassi, SIMA International Trade Fair for Art, 1983, p.45.