This screenprint is Andy Warhol's homage to the influential post-war artist Joseph Beuys. Created between 1980 and 1983, Joseph Beuys State I is one of three prints in a series dedicated to celebrating Beuys' legacy. Joseph Heinrich Beuys was a German artist known for his sociopolitical work, which explored themes of humanism and social change.
The print features four repeating images of Beuys' face in black ink against a vivid blue background, capturing the intensity of his gaze as he looks directly at the viewer. His expression is neutral and enigmatic, complemented by his distinctive hat. The image was derived from a 1979 Polaroid taken by Warhol at the Hans Mayer Gallery in Düsseldorf.
Warhol once remarked, “I like the politics of Beuys. He should come to the US and be politically active there. That would be great… He should be President.” This admiration highlights the respect Warhol had for Beuys, despite their divergent artistic practices. While Warhol focused on celebrity and consumer culture through recognizable motifs and symbols, Beuys' work delved into sculpture and performance art, aiming to transcend material and visual surfaces to promote democracy and critical thinking. Despite their differing approaches, the mutual respect between the two artists is evident, with Warhol’s choice to immortalise Beuys as a testament to the latter's impact on the art world.