Andy Warhol, Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), 1977 FS II.169

Artist: Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Title:Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), 1977 FS II.169
Reference:FS II.169
Series:Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition) 1977
Medium:Screenprint on Strathmore Bristol paper.
Sheet Size:30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)
Edition:Numbered from an edition of 10.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Andy Warhol in pencil in the lower center.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #W-7299

Historical Description

Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), 1977 FS II.169 is the fifth print in a special edition portfolio Warhol created to illustrate the printing progression of his print Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.164. This print shows the completed end product of the printing process that is demonstrated in the portfolio, all of the shapes and colors coming together to show the recognizable objects of a hammer and sickle. In 1976, Warhol visited Italy and during his time there was exposed to the communist symbol of the hammer and sickle as popular graffiti all over the country at the time. Warhol sought to deconstruct the communist symbol and separate the objects from any political or cultural ideologies. In this special edition portfolio, he deconstructs both objects even further, creating what ends up being abstracted compositions that together forms a recognizable screenprint. Warhol was not as interested in what the symbol represented, a wave of communist ideologies sweeping the nation in the late 70s, but was more intrigued by the repeated nature of the symbol and its place in pop culture, if it had one. Ronnie Cutrone, Warhol's studio assistant, created his own photographs for Warhol to work from, as he was unable to find suitable references for the artist. Warhol was able to replicate the iconic symbol of the hammer and sickle in unique ways in each of the prints. This special edition portfolio gives insight into Warhol's printing process and we are able to visually see the separate parts that make a whole.

Created in 1977, this work is a screenprint on Strathmore Bristol paper, hand signed by Andy Warhol in pencil in the lower center.  Numbered from an edition of 10.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), 1977 FS II.169 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonné and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Feldman, Frayda and Jörg Schellmann, A Catalogue Raisonne, 4th ed. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. II.169 on page 99.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.169 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.