Joseph Beuys (F. & S. II.243)
Joseph Beuys (F. & S. II.243)
Signed Print
Andy Warhol
Screenprint, 1980
Signed Print Edition of 150
H 102cm x W 81cm
Critical Review
Joseph Beuys (F. & S. II.243) features a headshot of the German postwar artist Joseph Beuys in Andy Warhol’s signature portrait grid. Screen printed on rayon flock, this signed image from an edition of 150 presents a striking example of Warhol’s experimentation with colour and contrast. Warhol has inverted the colour palette to darken Beuys’ face and background to black while using extreme highlights and an ombre pastel palette to facial features, hat, and vest. This particular rendition uses more yellow than Warhol’s similarJoseph Beuys State II (F. & S. II.243).
This innovative image, and its entire series Joseph Beuys, highlights the Pop artist’s admiration and respect for his contemporary artist and activist Joseph Beuys (1921-1986). He snapped this headshot with a polaroid camera when the two met in 1979. The entire series originates with this single photograph. Beuys was widely regarded for his performance art and happenings, which often incorporated ideas of shamanism. Although Warhol’s interests in fame diverged from Beuys', the two admired each other’s work. Both artists actively worked to fashion their own images, and Warhol’s respect for his fellow artist is evident in this particular work and the larger series Joseph Beuys.
