Artist: Andy Warhol
Title: Merce Cunningham I (from the Cunningham I portfolio)
Medium: Screenprint on Japanese gift wrapping paper
Edition: 56/100
Size: 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm)
Year: 1974
Inscription: Signed and numbered to verso 'Andy Warhol 56/100'
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Merce Cunningham I is a screenprint by Andy Warhol, created in 1974 as part of the Cunningham I portfolio. This work is number 56 from an edition of 100, printed by Alexander Heinrici in New York and published by Castelli Graphics and Multiples, Inc., New York. The print is signed and numbered in pencil on the verso by the artist. A gallery certificate of authenticity accompanies the piece.
The screenprint portrays Merce Cunningham, the renowned American dancer and choreographer, in a dynamic pose. Cunningham is depicted in profile, holding a chair behind his back, set against a floral-patterned background. The use of Japanese gift wrapping paper as the medium imparts a delicate texture and subtle translucency to the image, distinguishing this work within Warhol's oeuvre.
This piece is part of the Cunningham I portfolio, which includes works by various artists celebrating Cunningham's contributions to modern dance. Merce Cunningham I has been included in exhibitions at prominent institutions, such as The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, where it is part of the permanent collection. The work is also referenced in the catalogue raisonne Feldman/Schellmann II.124, underscoring its significance in Warhol's printmaking endeavors.
The unique combination of Warhol's pop art sensibility with the classical subject matter of dance in Merce Cunningham I exemplifies the artist's ability to merge contemporary culture with traditional themes. The use of unconventional materials and techniques further highlights Warhol's innovative approach to art-making.
About Andy Warhol - Early Life and Education
Andy Warhol was born Andrew Warhola in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1928. Showing early artistic talent, he studied pictorial design at the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), graduating in 1949. Shortly after, Warhol moved to New York City to pursue a career as a commercial illustrator, quickly gaining recognition for his innovative and distinctive style in advertising and magazine illustration. His early exposure to mass media and consumer culture would profoundly shape his later work.
Artistic Career and Major Works
Warhol emerged as a leading figure of the Pop Art movement in the 1960s, a period during which he transformed everyday objects and celebrity culture into high art. He is best known for iconic works including Campbell’s Soup Cans, Marilyn Diptych, and Gold Elvis. Warhol’s work spans multiple mediums, including painting, silkscreen printing, photography, film, and sculpture, reflecting his fascination with mass production, consumerism, and fame.
Throughout his career, Warhol challenged traditional definitions of art by blending fine art and commercial imagery. His studio, The Factory, became a hub for creative experimentation and a meeting place for influential artists, musicians, and cultural figures. Warhol’s work often explored themes of celebrity, death, and the fleeting nature of modern culture, positioning him as both a commentator and innovator in contemporary art.
Exhibitions and Museum Collections
Warhol’s art has been featured in major exhibitions worldwide, including solo shows at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Tate Modern in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. His works are represented in permanent collections at institutions such as the Guggenheim Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and The Broad in Los Angeles, ensuring his continued influence on global art discourse.
Legacy and Influence
Andy Warhol’s contributions to Pop Art and contemporary visual culture remain unparalleled. He redefined the relationship between art, commerce, and celebrity, influencing generations of artists including Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, and Takashi Murakami. Warhol’s exploration of mass media, consumerism, and popular culture continues to resonate, making him one of the most recognizable and studied figures in modern art history.
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