Andy Warhol Sitting Bull (F & S II.376) For Sale

Sitting bull is one of four screenprints from Andy Warhol’s original 1986 Cowboys and Indians portfolio. The series aimed to explore the American West’s mythologisation of Native American culture, highlighting Old Western themes and characters. Not only this, the series encapsulates Warhol’s lifelong obsession with the Wild West. As a child, Warhol grew up immersed in the Hollywood western films, and even went on to direct his own mock-westerns, Horse and Lonesome Cowboys. Therefore, it is important to consider that Warhol is presenting us with an image of Native Americans that is dramatized and theatrical, rather than historically accurate. Warhol depicts the figure of Sitting Bull as historically significant, placing him alongside other larger-than-life figures throughout his artistic oeuvre, such as Marilyn Monroe and Chairman Mao. Sitting Bull is placed amongst a collection of historical figures within the Warhol canon that help to comprehend the entirety of American culture.

The print depicts Sitting Bull, a Native American Sioux Chief, famous for leading resistance against the US government and its anti-native American policies as leader of Hunkpapa Lakota. He was eventually killed by Indian agency police during an attempt to arrest him on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in 1890, martyring him forever. In this print, Sitting Bull is depicted as stoic and wise, as he gazes calming and strongly towards the viewer. However, Warhol gives this figure the pop art treatment, transforming the colour of his skin into bold and brash colours, perhaps representing his bravery and boldness towards US authorities. Despite it being a traditional portrait composition, Warhol’s use of colour transforms him into a 20^th century figure, giving a historical figure a modern makeover.

 Not only this, Warhol’s use of bold colour draws attention to the way history can be hidden and distorted by popular culture, in this case, Hollywood western movies. Due to Warhol’s classic screen printing technique, the image can be mass produced over and over again, which echoes the way images of Native American people are repeated throughout media culture, creating an illusion of what the American West was actually like.

Buy Andy Warhol Sitting Bull (F & S II.376)

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Warhol market for over 20 years. To enquire about buying  Sitting Bull (F & S II.376) by Andy Warhol, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Sell Andy Warhol Sitting Bull (F & S II.376) by Andy Warhol

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Sitting Bull (F & S II.376) 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 Sitting Bull (F & S II.376) print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Andy Warhol original prints for sale.