Electric Chair Andy Warhol
Warhol first used the subject of the electric chair in 1963, the same year as the last executions by electrocution in New York state. The artist had his finger on the pulse of popular culture, documenting the people and events that held significance during his lifetime. As such, Warhol’s work has become a powerful reference point for understanding the shifts in American culture and society. Warhol’s Electric Chair Series forms part of the Death and Disaster Series. He began working on this series in the 1960s, focusing on news imagery that sensationalised death and tragedy, from portraits of Marilyn Monroe to pictures of suicides and car accidents. In addition to press material Warhol also used police photographs, taking the original image and repeating it using his signature screen print technique. The resulting works embody fascinating tensions and raise critical questions concerning our position as viewer and voyeur. Warhol draws our attention to the notion of public spectacle by reproducing images that have the power to both repel and enthral.
- How did Andy Warhol make the Electric Chair Series?
- What role does repetition play in the Electric Chair Series?
- How do I sell an Andy Warhol Print?
- How do I buy an Andy Warhol Print?
- How much does an original Andy Warhol Electric Chair cost?
- Where can I see Andy Warhol’s Electric Chair Prints?
- Sell an Andy Warhol Electric Chair Print
- Andy Warhol: Electric Chair Series Quick Facts
How did Andy Warhol make the Electric Chair Series?
In 1971, Warhol created a series of ten limited edition screen prints, entitled the Electric Chair Series. The artist based the work on the same photograph of an electric chair that that he had used in previous paintings. This was a 1953 press photograph documenting the equipment used in the high profile executions of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg at Sing Sing prison. The Rosenberg’s were accused of supplying top-secret information to the Soviet Union and found guilty of espionage.
In the Electric Chair Series Warhol cropped the original press image further, drawing the eye to the haunting spectre of the empty chair in an empty room. The screen printing process allowed Warhol to retain the coarse, grainy quality of a newspaper image while emphasising light and shadow. Warhol reproduced the same image in multiple numbers and different iterations, saturating it in intense colour. The luminous fuchsia pinks, sunshine yellows and sky blues contrast piercingly with stark minimal depiction of the violent subject matter.
What role does repetition play in the Electric Chair Series?
Electric Chair asks what happens to the image when it is repeated and treated in this way. Does this distance the viewer from the original image or does it bring the viewer into a new, more concentrated relationship with the subject?
In this work, Warhol explores the potential emptying of meaning that comes with the oversaturation of imagery. The artist once said, “the more you look at the same exact thing, the more the meaning goes away, and the better and emptier you feel.” His comment could not be more timely or relevant to a contemporary moment defined by the remediated image. Every day we experience the world through a glut of repeated imagery communicated in the form of digital, social and mass media. Within this context, the Electric Chair Series continues to resonate powerfully.
How do I sell an Andy Warhol Print?
To list a work by Warhol on our site is completely free of charge, and we do not charge any referral fees in the event of you finding a buyer for your work, making us the best place to offer your Warhol work. The services of your dedicated broker, the marketing of your piece for sale through our networks and our comprehensive digital marketing will begin without charge to you. In fact we do not take any charge from the seller at any point during the service we provide. We’re confident that the MyArtBroker platform will match you with a buyer and that’s why we’re happy support you from the outset. Your other option is auction, where they will charge you up to 15% plus several charges to cover the cost of putting the work through sale. You can find out more about this here.
How do I buy an Andy Warhol Print?
One the easiest and most cost effective ways of buying a Warhol work is by using us to reach a seller. MyArtBroker is a curated site, meaning we feature artists that our collectors say they want. View the Warhol works we currently offer here. You’ll need to create a free account to buy or sell with us.
How much does an original Andy Warhol Electric Chair cost?
We employ a number of techniques and practices in order to give a realistic and achievable valuation on any art listed on myartbroker.com. We analyse the demand for the Warhol in question, take into consideration previous sales and auction valuations, we assess the current gallery valuation and monitor the current deals taking place via MyArtBroker every day. We regularly advise sellers on a price bracket for their artwork completely free of charge. Find out how much your Warhol is worth today.
Where can I see Andy Warhol’s Electric Chair Prints?
Top Spots
- The Art Institute Chicago, Chicago
- The Guggenheim Museum, New York
- Tate, UK
Sell an Andy Warhol Electric Chair Print
If you have an Electric Chair Print for sale, request a free valuation today.
Andy Warhol: Electric Chair Series Quick Facts
- Warhol used police photographs and press images for the Electric Chair Series
- Warhol cropped the image of the chair, focusing further attention on the centre spectacle
- The series asks questions of the oversaturation of images that is still very relevant today
- Warhol’s Big Electric Chair sold for $20.5 million USD in 2014
