#10542 • Andy Warhol "The Thinker" Original Painting

Part of Pierre Argillet & Royal Family Art Collection (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $1,500,000-$2,500,000 Andy Warhol (American; 1928-1987) Original Oil on Canvas Painting Titled "The Thinker" - This magnificent specimen is an original oil on canvas painting by world renowned artist and leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art, Andy Warhol. This is said to be one of Warhol's earliest works, and can be compared to his previously unseen drawings published in "From Silverpoint to Silver Screen: Andy Warhol 1950s Drawings", by Daniel Blau. The drawings were created before Warhol developed his Pop Art style, and give an interesting insight into the development of his later work. The sketchbook drawings exhibit a profound technical ability and are completed in Warhol’s characteristic blotted-line technique, a rudimentary form of printmaking that involved tracing projected photographic images onto paper and then blotting the inked figures to create variations on a theme. It has been suggested that this is a self portrait Warhol painted of himself, in which he is holding a lightbox. Warhol often used a lightbox to turn his photographs into drawings, by projecting the photograph image and tracing them onto paper. The painting measures approx. 40" x 30", and is signed by Warhol in the lower right corner. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own an original work by one of the most renowned and visionary artists of the 20th century, and arguably of all time. Warhol's works include some of the most expensive paintings ever sold, with $105 million being the highest price ever paid, making this a true investment piece of the highest quality. This piece truly belongs in a museum, as it is absolutely stunning. Andy Warhol (American; 1928-1987) was an American artist, director and producer who was a leading figure in the visual art movement known as pop art. His works explore the relationship between artistic expression, celebrity culture, and advertising that flourished by the 1960s, and span a variety of media, including painting, silkscreening, photography, film, and sculpture. Warhol created many portraits of prominent figures including Shah of Iran Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, his wife Empress Farah Pahlavi, his sister Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, Mick Jagger, Liza Minnelli, John Lennon, Diana Ross, and Brigitte Bardot. For each portrait, Warhol would take nearly 100 Poloroid photos of his subjects and let them choose image they wanted him to create. Warhol has been the subject of numerous retrospective exhibitions, books, and feature and documentary films. The Andy Warhol Museum in his native city of Pittsburgh, which holds an extensive permanent collection of art and archives, is the largest museum in the United States dedicated to a single artist. Many of his creations are very collectible and highly valuable.