Andy Warhol, Birth of Venus, from the Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984

Artist: Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Title:Birth of Venus from the Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984
Reference:FS. II. 316-319
Series:Details from Renaissance Paintings, 1984
Medium:Complete Suite of Four Screenprints on Arches Aquarelle (Cold Pressed) paper
Image Size:37 in x 25 in (95 cm x 63.5 cm)
Sheet Size:44 in x 32 in (111.8 cm x 81.3 cm)
Framed Size:approx. 54 in x 42 in (137.2 cm x 106.7 cm)
Edition:Numbered from the edition of 70 in pencil in the lower left; aside from the edition of 18 Artisit's Proofs, 5 Printer's Proofs, 5 Hors Commerce; Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York; Published by Editions Schellmann & Kluser, Germany.
Signature:These works are hand-signed by Andy Warhol (Pennsylvania, 1928 - New York, 1987) in pencil in the lower left.
Condition:These works are in excellent condition.
ID #W-6269

Historical Description

Warhol is renowned for his iconic portraits of celebrities and cultural icons. In 1984, he turned his attention to classical art and produced the series Details of Renaissance Paintings, showcasing cropped images of Old Master paintings.

In his interpretation Boticelli’s Venus, Warhol combines his signature pop style with one of the most recognizable images of classical art. From the complete portfolio of four, each image of Venus subverts art historical tradition and gains an iconic status in modern art.

Venus, the Roman goddess of love is transformed through vibrant colors, bestowing upon her a celebrity status. Even though Boticelli’s original painting included an elaborate background to the goddess, Warhol chooses instead to focus on her face and flowing hair. Each image accentuates her hair color against a sharp, contrasting background in order to magnify her divinity and beauty. Each of the four screenprints depicts the beautiful face of the goddess. Her flowing hair is colored in a variety of vibrant shades, a Warhol signature. The different colors allow Warhol to transport an old masterpiece into modernity.

Created in 1984, Birth of Venus, from the Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 is a suite of four screenprints on Arches Aquarelle (Cold Pressed) paper hand-signed by Andy Warhol (Pennsylvania, 1928 - New York, 1987) in pencil in the lower left and numbered from the edition of 70 in pencil in the lower left; aside from the edition of 18 Artist's Proofs, 5 Printer's Proofs, 5 Hors Commerce; Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York; Published by Editions Schellmann & Kluser, Germany.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol Birth of Venus, from the Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés 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. Andy Warhol Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné 1962 – 1987, 4th Ed. New York: Distributed Art Publishers, Inc., 2003. Listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné II. 316-319.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this work.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy Warhol Birth of Venus, from the Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 is presented in a complimentary moulding and mats and optical grade Plexiglas.