Andy Warhol San Francisco Silverspot (FS II.298) For Sale

San Francisco Silverspot is a screenprint created by Andy Warhol in 1983, as part of his wider Endangered Species portfolio.  It is a masterfully skilful screenprint that highlights Warhol’s craftsmanship and technique. The creation of the portfolio was prompted by the gallerists Ronald and Frayda Feldman, who were passionate about protecting endangered species. The portfolio aims to bring awareness to the threat of humanity to wildlife.

This print depicts the Callippe Silverspot, a rare butterfly which is more commonly known as the San Francisco Silverspot due it being native to the San Francisco Bay area. Warhol presents a psychedelic butterfly, placed above a background of overexposed grass blades, in varying shades of blue, similar to that of his Flowers series. This dark background elevates the presence of the butterfly, as although the most part of its wings are in the same dark blue, the tips of the wings are displayed in multitude of colours – from oranges to reds to greens to yellows. In a matter typical to that of Warhol, the patterns on the butterfly’s wings are outlined in hand drawn white and brown lines, which animate the print and bring the butterfly to life. The butterfly is separated from its background, it looks as if it is ready to flutter off the page. This contrasts with other prints in the series where the creatures are depicted against a plain coloured backdrop. By doing this, Warhol raises the butterfly to the status of fine art, turning it into a Pop Art icon and urging people to view it and pay attention to this threatened species. Warhol’s use of gestural lines highlight his transformative screen printing technique, and show his ability to add depth and texture within a print.

This portfolio shows a different side to Warhol. Although he is associated with creating art surrounding the more superficial aspects of American society, such as consumerism and the cult of celebrities, this portfolio emphasises his ability to act as a social activist.  Warhol's personal interest in and care for the natural world and the environment is evident in the series. Following Warhol's passing, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts gave 15 acres of the artist's protected beachfront in Montauk, New York, to the Nature Conservancy. The artist actively campaigned against ecological issues such as beach erosion.

Buy Andy Warhol San Francisco Silverspot (F & S II.298)

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Warhol market for over 20 years. To enquire about buying  San Francisco Silverspot (F & S II.298) by Andy Warhol, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Sell San Francisco Silverspot (F & S II.298) by Andy Warhol

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Andy Warhol San Francisco Silverspot (F & S II.298) 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 San Francisco Silverspot (F & S II.298) print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Andy Warhol original prints for sale.