Beethoven (F. & S. II.391)
Beethoven (F. & S. II.391)
Unsigned Print
Andy Warhol
£120,000-£170,000 VALUE (EST.)
$230,000-$320,000 VALUE (EST.)
$200,000-$280,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥1,070,000-¥1,520,000 VALUE (EST.)
€140,000-€200,000 VALUE (EST.)
$1,150,000-$1,630,000 VALUE (EST.)
¥21,800,000-¥30,890,000 VALUE (EST.)
$150,000-$210,000 VALUE (EST.)
This estimate blends recent public auction records with our own private sale data and network demand.
There aren’t enough data points on this work for a comprehensive result. Please speak to a specialist by making an enquiry.
Screenprint, 1987
Unsigned Print Edition of 60
H 102cm x W 102cm
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Auction Results
| Auction Date | Auction House | Artwork | Hammer Price | Return to Seller | Buyer Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 2020 | Bonhams Los Angeles - United States | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| November 2019 | Van Ham Fine Art Auctions - Germany | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| October 2018 | Phillips New York - United States | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| June 2016 | Van Ham Fine Art Auctions - Germany | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| October 2014 | Phillips New York - United States | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| May 2014 | Van Ham Fine Art Auctions - Germany | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print | |||
| December 2003 | Christie's London - United Kingdom | Beethoven (F. & S. II.391) - Unsigned Print |
Meaning & Analysis
Printed in 1985, Beethoven(F. & S. II.391) is a screen print by Andy Warhol that captures his keen interest in celebrities and popular culture. The print features an image of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven rendered in an uncharacteristic amalgam of colours. Beethoven’s serious gaze is intensified as his face is rendered in a cool blue which stands out against his white shirt and hair. Warhol superimposes a sheet of music over the portrait, however the subtly coloured red and pink notes ensure that Beethoven’s portrait is not obscured.
Beethoven(F. & S. II.391) is part of a portfolio of four screen prints in Warhol’s Beethoven series, produced by the artist shortly before his death in 1987. Depicting a classical composer departs from the more frequent prints of movie stars, such as Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, that Warhol is often remembered for. Nevertheless, Warhol’s iconic Pop Art style transforms the classical composer into a stylish 1980s pop icon.
Warhol uses the 1820 portrait of the composer by Joseph Karl Stieler as his source of material for the print. This was one of the most well-known images of Beethoven, and Warhol’s choice of this image reflects his obsession with icons of popular culture.
