Literature:
Feldman & Schellmann IIB.43

Provenance:
Galerie Thaddeus Ropac, Paris, 2003
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Lot Essay:

In 1985 Polo Magazine approached Andy Warhol to produce a cover for their 10th anniversary issue.  Warhol, frequently commissioned for projects such as this, had a method for working on them – an image would be chosen, typically based on a photograph, a screen would be produced using the image, then various samples would be printed so that he could choose which colors and layouts he preferred.  Presented here as a group of four, we not only have the opportunity to look into the process of this iconic artist, but visually, they exemplify Warhol’s genius obsession with repetition. 

At first glance, the subject matter seems to be a departure from Warhol’s most beloved subjects – celebrities, advertising, and pop culture – but upon further investigation, the subject is unusually well suited to Warhol’s obsession with the more Fitzgeraldian themes of class and society.  Polo is one of the oldest team sports in existence, with roots as far back as the 6th Century BC, the current version originating in Persia ca. 200 BC.  From its inception, Polo has been associated with royalty and nobility, even the viewers of Polo matches being seen as socialites.  Throughout Warhol’s career, he was obsessed with the constructs of fame and celebrity.  Polo, often referred to as ‘The Sport of Kings’ is a prime example of a piece of this complex puzzle.  It is clear that this was on his mind in 1985 since it was in the same year that he produced his iconic portfolio Reigning Queens showcasing portraits of each of the currently reigning queens in the world, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, and Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland. 

We are excited to offer here four unique variations of his collages for the Polo Magazine cover.  Employing torn sheets of colored graphic art paper, his signature hand drawn outlines of the figure, and the vivid colors which are quintessentially Warhol, this group represents a keen look into the process and method of Warhol’s work as well as serving as a prime example of his preoccupation with fame, celebrity, and repetition.