ANDY WARHOL, GRAPES (F. & S. II.191), GRAPES, SIGNED SCREEN PRINT, EDITION OF 50, 1979
Printed in 1979, Grapes (F. & S. II.194) is a signed screen print in colour by Andy Warhol on Strathmore Bristol paper. The print depicts a bunch of grapes surrounded by grape leaves. The print is rendered in a variety of different shades of green and yellow which fragment the composition, bringing an abstract feel to the still life. The yellow grapes dominate the centre of the composition, standing out against the green and grey-hues that form the print’s backdrop. To the bottom left of the composition is Warhol’s signature in black felt-tip pen
Grapes (F. & S. II.191) is one of six prints that form the Grapes series. This series marks Warhol’s turn towards the still life genre, seen in his other series, such as Gems and Flowers. However, the fragmentation in this print signals a more abstract approach to the traditional subject matter of a still life drawing – fruit. This theme runs throughout the series as Warhol subverts expectations of the still life genre by experimenting with form, composition and colour. With this experimentation, Warhol transforms this traditional still life subject into a lively Pop Art icon.
The print was clearly influenced by collage techniques, as evidenced by the layering of block colours and use of black gestural lines to delineate the grapes and leaves. These black lines bring a sketch-like quality to the prints which harks back to Warhol’s early career as a freelance commercial illustrator in the 1950s. The subject matter of the print, however, contrasts with Warhol’s early illustrations of shoes and accessories for fashion magazines such as Glamour, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Read more about Grapes by Andy Warhol.
ABOUT ANDY WARHOL
Widely considered to be the father of Pop Art, Andy Warhol has influenced countless artists, designers and musicians and become an icon of the 20th century. Known as much for his look as his art, his name is synonymous with the celebrity culture and mass consumerism which came to define the American Dream. Learn more about Andy Warhol.
