Andy Warhol, Electric Chairs, 1971 FS II.77

Artist: Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Title:Electric Chairs, 1971 FS II.77
Reference:FS II.77
Series:Electric Chair, 1971
Medium:Screenprint on wove paper.
Image Size:48 in x 35 ½ in (121.9 cm x 90.2 cm)
Sheet Size:48 in x 35 ½ in (121.9 cm x 90.2 cm)
Framed Size:54 9/16 in x 41 9/16 in (138.6 x 105.6 cm)
Edition:Stamp-numbered from the edition of 250 (There were also 50 artist’s proofs in Roman numerals), with the Edition Bischofberger, Zürich and Factory Additions, New York ink stamps on the reverse.
Signature:This work is hand signed by Andy Warhol (Pennsylvania, 1928 – New York, 1987) in ball-point pen on the reverse.
Condition:This work is in excellent condition.
ID #w-7650

Historical Description

Andy Warhol Electric Chairs, 1971 FS II.77 is a bright blue and neon yellow portrait of New York's Sing Sing Penitentiary's electric chair, known as "Old Sparky." The bright and intense color choice of the print contrasts with the dark subject of the work. Warhol created this portfolio of Electric Chairs during a time of intense national debate about the death penalty. In 1972, the federal government banned the death penalty throughout the country. Three years prior, in 1968, Warhol was shot by Valerie Solanas, a radical feminist, and almost died from the gunshot. After this event in his life, the artist began exploring concepts in his artwork like death and violence. These series of works combines Warhol's commentary on the social and political issues at the time with his personal exploration of death.

Created in 1971, this work is a screenprint on paper, hand signed by Andy Warhol in ball-point pen on verso.  Numbered from an edition of 250, dated '71 in ball-point and numbered with a rubber stamp on verso, aside from 50 Artist Proofs numbered in Roman numerals, signed and dated in ball-point pen on verso and stamped 'AP' and numbered with a rubber stamp on verso.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol Electric Chairs, 1971 FS II.77 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.77.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy Warhol Electric Chairs, 1971 FS II.77 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.