Bighorn Ram (F. & S. II.302)
Bighorn Ram (F. & S. II.302)
Signed Print
Andy Warhol
Screenprint, 1983
Signed Print Edition of 150
H 97cm x W 97cm
Critical Review
Printed in 1983, Bighorn Ram (F. & S. II.302) is a signed screen print in colour on Lenox Museum Board by Andy Warhol. The print shows a Bighorn Ram rendered in an unusual combination of colours with green and yellow dominating the composition. The sheep is extracted from its natural habitat and depicted against a plain backdrop. The thriving community of Bighorn Sheep in North America suffered tremendously and by 1900 the population shrunk to several thousand, endangering the cherished species. Through reduced hunting and the role of national parks, the population was able to grow again and the Bighorn Ram remains an iconic image for many Native Americans.
Bighorn Ram (F. & S. II.302) is part of the Endangered Species series commissioned in 1983 by New York gallerists and environmental activists, Ronald and Frayda Feldman. This series is composed of 10 prints, each depicting a unique endangered species. The goal of the series was to raise awareness around the threat mankind is posing to wildlife and the natural ecosystem. Warhol himself was very interested in nature and animals, as demonstrated in his other series like Cow and Flowers. His concern for ecological issues was further demonstrated in 1986 when, after producing this series, Warhol went on to collaborate with Kurt Benirschke on a book called Vanishing Animals about lesser-known endangered animals.
The print was made using Warhol’s signature screen printing technique which transforms the Bighorn Ram, animating it with Warhol’s Pop Art aesthetic. Warhol’s creative use of colour and inventive exploration of gestural lines brings dynamism to the print, demanding the viewer pay attention to this threatened animal.
