A Master of Colour & Form
Throughout his career, Warhol was bestowed with numerous accolades: Madonna compared him to Leonardo da Vinci, Larry Gagosian recognised him as the one of the most influential American Artists, and Fran Lebowitz called him the centre of the universe. These honours reflect the widespread admiration for Warhol’s artistic achievements. However, his remarkable skill as a colourist and his ability to transform prints and multiples into unique pieces of art, despite their standardised medium, often receive less attention.
Though Warhol is best known for his iconic subject matter and the magnetic energy of his works, his mastery of colour remains underappreciated. His work is marked by vibrant, carefully chosen hues that communicate the emotional depth of his subjects and elevate the themes he explored. His colour choices were deliberate and contributed significantly to the overall narrative of each artwork.
Andy Warhol Trial Proofs
In the 1980s, Warhol produced a series of unique prints, trial proofs, and paintings that stand out due to their rarity and personal connection to his artistic process. Andipa Editions have housed an impressive collection of these works, including trial proofs of famous figures such as Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman, and Mobi.
The term "trial proof" refers to a print created during the production of an edition involving changes to colour and or composition. Each trial proof is one-of-a-kind, and over time, these once-experimental prints have become highly sought-after and valued for their distinctiveness each being unique in its format.
Warhol’s screenprinting techniques, combined with hand-applied methods, blur the lines between mass-produced imagery and unique craftsmanship, underscoring his innovative approach to art-making.
Trial Proofs: Rare and Chersished
Warhol continues to captivate both art enthusiasts and the art market, consistently achieving success at auctions year after year. As specialists in prints and multiples, we have observed a particularly strong performance in Warhol’s editioned trail proof prints. Often, these works can sell for, on average, over double the value of the regular editions
Within printmaking, in addition to the main edition, there are also editioned proof prints that hold special significance. Proofs such as Hors de Commerce and Exhibition Proofs are created for specific purposes, like exhibitions, while Trial Proofs and Printer’s Proofs can feature experimental colour variations. Due to their rarity, these editioned trial proof prints are increasingly popular with collectors, offering the opportunity to own unique versions of an artist's work.
Print Glossary
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Trial Proofs (TP) These are test prints that allow artists to experiment with variations and make adjustments before finalising an edition. They often feature distinctive colours, making each one a unique work.
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Artist Proofs (AP): Separate from the main edition, these proofs are used by the artist to evaluate the quality of the print and make any necessary revisions.
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Hors de Commerce (HC): Translating to "Outside of Trade" in French, HC prints are typically reserved for the artist or publisher and are often used for gifts, promotions, or archival purposes.
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Printer’s Proof (PP) Retained by the printer or publisher, these proofs serve as reference copies and are similar to the regular edition prints.
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Exhibition Proof (EP); Created specifically for promotional purposes, these proofs are intended for display in galleries, museums, or other exhibition venues.
Discover Andy Warhol prints for sale and contact Andipa Editions via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7589 2371 for further information on any of the works featured.