1950
The name of American artist Andy Warhol is all but synonymous with Pop art, the movement he helped shape in the 1960s. He was phenomenally prolific, and the archive of original photography, prints, drawings, paintings and other art that he left behind is beyond vast.
Andy Warhol is known for his clever appropriation of motifs and images from popular advertising and commercials, which he integrated into graphic, vibrant works that utilized mass-production technologies such as printmaking, photography and silkscreening. Later in his career, Warhol expanded his oeuvre to include other forms of media, founding Interview magazine and producing fashion shoots and films on-site at the Factory, his world-famous studio in New York.
Born and educated in in Pittsburgh, Warhol moved to New York City in 1949 and built a successful career as a commercial illustrator. Although he made whimsical drawings as a hobby during these years, his career as a fine artist began in the mid-1950s with ink-blot drawings and hand-drawn silkscreens. The 1955 lithograph You Can Lead a Shoe to Water illustrates how he incorporated in his artwork advertising styles and techniques, in this case shoe commercials.
As a child, Warhol was often sick and spent much of his time in bed, where he would make sketches and put together collections of movie-star photographs. He described this period as formative in terms of his skills and interests. Indeed, Warhol remained obsessed with celebrities throughout his career, often producing series devoted to a famous face or an object from the popular culture, such as Chairman Mao or Campbell’s tomato soup. The 1967 silkscreen Marilyn 25 embodies his love of bright color and famous subjects.
Warhol was a prominent cultural figure in New York during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. The Factory was a gathering place for the era’s celebrities, writers, drag queens and fellow artists, and collaboration was common. To this day, Warhol remains one of the most important artists of the 20th century and continues to exert influence on contemporary creators.
Find a collection of original Andy Warhol art on 1stDibs.
Young Man with Flower
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but had an unrivaled influence on artists and image-making. ...
Paper, Ballpoint Pen
Alexander with Flower XL
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is the most influential and valuable American artist of the 20th century. While he is renowned for his signature Pop art creations, Caviar20 has been champion...
Paper, Ballpoint Pen
"Portrait of a Young Man (JT)"
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but had an unrivaled influence on artists and image-making. ...
Ballpoint Pen
Portrait of a Man (Tony)
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but had an unrivaled influence on artists and image-making. ...
Ballpoint Pen
Portrait of a Man (George), drawing with ballpoint pen, circa 1956
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but had an unrivalled influence on artists and image-making. ...
Ballpoint Pen
Young Man with Flower
By Andy Warhol
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. He not only defined Pop Art but had an unrivaled influence on artists and image-making. In recent years there has been new scholarship and increasing commercial interest in Andy Warhol's early works, material created prior to Pop Art. During the 1950's Warhol established himself in New York City as a trendy illustrator contributing to a wide number of fashion publications and retailers. His simple line drawings were modern and gentle, with a subtle but unmistakably gay touch. In a short period of time, he created an aesthetic that was both versatile and distinctively his. Like the consummate artist that he was, Warhol was frequently drawing. The images he created during this era, independent from his fashion commissions, were romantic, hopeful, and unabashedly gay. It is worth emphasizing that Warhol was almost exclusively dedicated to drawing during this period, only creating a handful of paintings - which were intended to be used for window displays. Taschen, the legendary art book publisher, recently released the book Andy Warhol: Love, Sex, and Desire 1950-1962 which celebrates his drawings of the male form from the pre-Pop era. This portrait is a paradigm of Warhol's mastery of line and visionary framing. A man's profile commands the composition as he gazes forward with his hand raised towards his mouth, holding a delicate flower. With the lightest touch, Warhol masterly portrays this male ideal with the details of his chiseled jawline, softened gaze, and timeless elegance. Warhol drawings from the 1950s are marked by a gentle whimsy that embodies Warhol's vivid imagination. With fanciful details such as exaggerated lips and eyebrows, "Young Man with Flower...
Ballpoint Pen
Unidentified Male
By Andy Warhol
Located in Indianapolis, IN
Andy Warhol (1928-1987) Unidentified Male (circa 1956) Black ballpoint pen on paper Size: 16.5 x 14 in (41.9 x 35.6 cm) Frame size: 21.25 x 19 in (53.9 x 48.3 cm) Authenticated by ...
Ballpoint Pen, Paper
A Finely Drawn, 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study, Kneeling Male Nude Model
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Finely Drawn, 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study of a Kneeling Male Nude Model by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). An early graphite drawing by Haydon demon...
Paper, Graphite
Andy Warhol 'Raphael I' Offset Lithograph, Framed Pop Art, 1993
By Andy Warhol
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offset lithograph from a portfolio of five Andy Warhol prints published by te Neues, now long out of print and highly collectible. This work reflects Warhol's fascination with the in...
Offset
A Finely Drawn, 1950s Mid-Century Modern Figure Study, Seated Male Nude Model
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Very Finely Drawn Mid-Century Modern Figure Study of a Seated Young Male Nude Model by Notable Chicago Modern Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). A well executed studio figure...
Graphite, Paper
A Finely Drawn 1930s Modern Art Deco Figure Study, Standing Male Nude Model
By Harold Haydon
Located in Chicago, IL
A Finely Drawn, 1930s Art Deco Modern Figure Study of a Standing Male Nude Model by Notable Chicago Artist, Harold Haydon (Am. 1909-1994). An early charcoal drawing by Haydon demon...
Paper, Charcoal
Male Portrait
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique drawing, synthetic polymer on paper. Work comes with a Certificate of Provenance issued by Christie’s. Stamped on the verso by the Estate of the Artist and The And...
Paper, Polymer
