Showcasing the artist’s fascination with pop culture, his appreciation of Indigenous art, and his almost prophetic insight into the depths of the American imaginary, Warhol’s Cowboys and Indians remains an extraordinary series in the later part of Warhol’s career. The artist initially produced fourteen prints to include in the series; each explored various western and indigenous figures, yet only ten of the fourteen images comprised the official Cowboys and Indians series. With vivid color and thought-provoking juxtaposed images of Americana and Indigenous peoples’ culture, Warhol offers a new view of the frontier—one of centering performances, public opinion, and difficult historical exchanges. Upon publication of the edition in 1986, a complete set of Cowboys and Indians was exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian from 1986 to 1987.
Looking beyond the final screenprints to the source imagery reveals an immense level of depth and consideration from the artist. Sitting Bull is one of four subjects that did not make it past the trial proof stage to be included in the final portfolio—the other three removed were Buffalo Head Nickel, War Bonnet Indian, and Action Picture—therefore each impression of the Hunkpapa Lakota leader is unique. Sitting Bull was a Sioux nation war and tribal chief who predicted the loss of U.S. Federal troops against his men at the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. Warhol represents him with an air of quiet honor and respect.
David Francis Barry, Portrait of Sitting Bull, c. 1883 Provenance
Martin Lawrence Galleries, New York
Literature
see Frayda Feldman and Jörg Schellmann 376
Artist Biography
Andy Warhol
American • 1928 - 1987
Andy Warhol was the leading exponent of the Pop Art movement in the U.S. in the 1960s. Following an early career as a commercial illustrator, Warhol achieved fame with his revolutionary series of silkscreened prints and paintings of familiar objects, such as Campbell's soup tins, and celebrities, such as Marilyn Monroe. Obsessed with popular culture, celebrity and advertising, Warhol created his slick, seemingly mass-produced images of everyday subject matter from his famed Factory studio in New York City. His use of mechanical methods of reproduction, notably the commercial technique of silk screening, wholly revolutionized art-making.
Working as an artist, but also director and producer, Warhol produced a number of avant-garde films in addition to managing the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground and founding Interview magazine. A central figure in the New York art scene until his untimely death in 1987, Warhol was notably also a mentor to such artists as Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
168
Sitting Bull, for Cowboys and Indians (see F. & S. 376)
1986
Unique screenprint in colors, on Lenox Museum Board, the full sheet.
S. 36 x 36 in. (91.4 x 91.4 cm)
Signed and numbered 'TP 20/36' in pencil (a unique color variant trial proof, the edition was 250 and 50 artist's proofs), published by Gaultney, Klineman Art, Inc., New York, framed.
Estimate
$50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $114,300
editions@phillips.com
212-940-1220
Editions & Works on Paper
New York Auction 16 - 17 April
