Andy Warhol Indian Head Nickel FS II.385 For Sale

The Cowboys and Indians portfolio consists of ten screenprints by Andy Warhol released in 1986. With five prints depicting American settlers (referred to as "cowboys") and five prints featuring Native Americans. The portfolio's symmetry depicts the West as a theatre of war and places each print as a combatant in the frontier's struggle. In essence, Warhol portrays a dramatised image of the West. Warhol presents a view of the theatrical West—the one he encountered in popular culture and television as a child—rather than an accurate portrayal of the frontier.

An outstanding illustration of Warhol's attempts to mimic the historical can be seen in Indian Head Nickel. Warhol depicts one side of a "Indian head nickel" in this print. Warhol depicts the coin using grayscale tones and white lines to emphasise the image's fine features, which would have been engraved on the actual coin. The year "1913" is printed over the Native American man's neck, and his head is angled in profile towards the word "LIBERTY."

Distribution of this five-cent piece took place between 1913 and 1938. The Taft administration commissioned sculptor James Earl Fraser to create the coin's design. Despite the fact that Fraser was well-known for his pictures of Native Americans, the image on the nickel is a collage of multiple Native American photos rather than being based on any one model. It is contentious because it depicts a stereotyped, generalised image of Native Americans rather than a unique person. Warhol included a buffalo image on the reverse of the nickel in his screen print Nickel Buffalo.

Warhol depicts the generalised Native American identity that permeates mainstream American society in Indian Head Nickel. Warhol asks his audience to think about all the subtlety that is lost when generalised views of Native Americans predominate in American media by presenting Indian Head Nickel next to images of Native American people like Mother and Child and Geronimo, and colonial historical figures such as General Custer and Teddy Roosevelt.

Buy Andy Warhol Indian Head Nickel (F & S II.385)

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Warhol market for over 20 years. To enquire about buying Indian Head Nickel (F & S II.385) by Andy Warhol, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Sell Indian Head Nickel (F & S II.385) by Andy Warhol

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Andy Warhol Indian Head Nickel (F & S II.385)) print. Straight-forward and stress-free, we manage the process on your behalf and help to maximise your return. For a complimentary valuation of your Indian Head Nickel (F & S II.385) print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Andy Warhol original prints for sale.