Alexander Heinrici Biography

Alexander Heinrici was a German printer who worked with Andy Warhol during the 1980s. Their collaboration resulted in some of Warhol's most iconic prints, and their close working relationship continued until Warhol's death in 1987.

Andy Warhol Flowers 70, from Flowers Portfolio, 1970

Heinrici was born in Germany in 1944 and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He was known for his technical expertise and his ability to create complex and multi-layered prints. In the 1970s, he founded his own printmaking studio, Edition Domberger, which quickly became one of the most respected studios in Europe.

Heinrici first met Warhol in 1980 when Warhol was visiting Germany to exhibit his work. Warhol was impressed by Heinrici's technical skills and his attention to detail, and he asked Heinrici to work on a series of prints based on his "Flowers" series.

The collaboration between Heinrici and Warhol was a success, and the two went on to work together on a number of other projects. Heinrici was particularly known for his ability to create complex color gradients and multi-layered prints, which were key features of many of Warhol's most famous works.

One of the most famous prints that Heinrici worked on with Warhol was the "Mao" series, which was created in 1972. The series features a portrait of Mao Zedong, the former leader of the Communist Party of China, and was one of Warhol's most politically charged works.

Andy Warhol Mao, 1972

Another famous collaboration between Heinrici and Warhol was the "Cow" series, which was created in 1971. The series features a number of colorful prints of cows, and was inspired by Warhol's interest in the mass production of images.

Heinrici and Warhol's collaboration continued until Warhol's death in 1987. During this time, they worked on a number of other projects, including the "Camouflage" series, which was created in 1986.

Heinrici's technical expertise and his ability to bring Warhol's ideas to life were key factors in their successful collaboration. Heinrici was known for his attention to detail and his ability to create complex prints, which made him an ideal partner for Warhol, who was always pushing the boundaries of printmaking.

Andy Warhol Camouflage, 1987 FS II.413

After Warhol's death, Heinrici continued to work as a printer and a printmaking instructor. He remained one of the most respected printers in Europe, and his influence on the world of printmaking is still felt today.

In conclusion, the collaboration between Andy Warhol and Alexander Heinrici was one of the most successful partnerships in the history of printmaking. Heinrici's technical expertise and attention to detail were key factors in their success, and their collaboration resulted in some of Warhol's most iconic prints. The legacy of their partnership continues to inspire artists and printers around the world, and their work is a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in the arts.