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Artworks
Andy Warhol
Reigning Queens (Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland) (F & S II.348), 1985Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board100 x 80 cm.
39 3/8 x 31 1/2 in.Edition of 40, 10 AP, 5 PP, 3 HC, 30 TP. There is also a Royal Edition of 30, 5 AP, 2PP, and 2 HC, sprinkled with diamond dust, notated as FS II.346A-349A).Signed and numbered in pencil.£20,000 - £30,000 GBPThis print features Queen Ntombi of Swaziland, with Warhol transforming her official portrait into a vibrant Pop Art piece. He intensifies the colours, enveloping the queen in warm blue hues...This print features Queen Ntombi of Swaziland, with Warhol transforming her official portrait into a vibrant Pop Art piece. He intensifies the colours, enveloping the queen in warm blue hues set against a striking yellow background. In his signature style, Warhol uses bold blocks of colour to emphasise her regal features, such as her headdress and necklace. This portfolio powerfully celebrates female authority, focusing on queens who ruled by birthright rather than through marriage. Queen Ntombi is depicted with a warm smile, while Warhol’s dynamic hand-drawn lines accentuate her necklace and dress, adding a personal touch to the portrayal.
Warhol’s fascination with celebrity culture is evident throughout his work. Before the "Reigning Queens" portfolio, his art often explored themes of fame and glamour, as seen in his iconic Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor series. The "Reigning Queens" series seamlessly aligns with this theme, honouring the ultimate symbols of glamour, reverence, and untouchability: royalty.