You Can Lead A Shoe To Water But You Can’t Make It Drink
You Can Lead A Shoe To Water But You Can’t Make It Drink
Unsigned Print
Andy Warhol
£27,000-£40,000 VALUE (EST.)
$50,000-$70,000 VALUE (EST.)
$45,000-$70,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥230,000-¥340,000 VALUE (EST.)
€30,000-€45,000 VALUE (EST.)
$260,000-$380,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥4,310,000-¥6,390,000 VALUE (EST.)
$35,000-$50,000 VALUE (EST.)
This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
Lithograph, 1950
Unsigned Print Edition of 100
H 23cm x W 33cm
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Toni Clayton, American Pop & Modern Specialist
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Artwork | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2011 | Christie's New York - United States | You Can Lead A Shoe To Water But You Can’t Make It Drink - Unsigned Print |
Meaning & Analysis
Andy Warhol produced this small lithograph early in his career. In this particular example, a peachy pink high heel is the subject of the composition. White paisley designs adorn the upper, and a double strap crosses the top. Beneath the shoe, the altered saying “you can lead a shoe to water but you can’t make it drink.” has been inscribed in a lower-case cursive hand. The same hand has initialed “a.w.” on the outside of the heel.
As the sole illustrator for I. Miller shoe manufacturer, Warhol spent several years making weekly ads for the New York Times. Warhol and his friends hand-coloured the prints, making each individual in an edition unique. The cursive hand across the series belongs to his mother, Julia Warhola, who transcribed many of the captions. The series title, La Recherche du Shoe Perdu, references Marcel Proust’s magnum opus, In Search Of Lost Time. This whimsical lithograph from Warhol’s early years demonstrates his humor and wit that would be demonstrated throughout his career.
