Buy Andy Warhol Martin Buber ( F & S. ii 228

This portrait of Martin Buber was created in 1980 as part of Andy Warhol’s Ten Portraits of Jews of the 20th Century portfolio. The series was commissioned by art dealer Ronald Feldman. The people chosen to be depicted had three things in common: they were Jewish, they had a significant impact on the 20^th century, and they are dead. This choice to only depict dead sitters infusing each portrait with a lingering sense of mortality.  However, behind the surface of these arguments is Warhol's investigation of celebrity, legacy, and the fleeting essence of life. His decision to show solely the deceased lends poignancy to the series, emphasising the ephemeral nature of celebrity and the long-lasting influence of legacy.

This screenprint depicts Martin Buber, an Austrian-Jewish and Israeli philosopher, who was known for his philosophy of dialogue, a form of existentialism centred on the distinction between the ‘I–Thou’ relationship and the ‘I–It relationship’. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature ten times, and the Nobel Peace Prize seven times. In this screenprint, Warhol has depicted Buber in a way similar to that of an ancient Greek philosopher. The texture Buber’s long beard, like in that of sculpture, is exaggerated through Warhol’s addition of hand drawn lines in red crayon. Like the rest of the images from this series, Warhol layers geometric blocks of colour throughout the screenprint, such as blue and green. This adds depth and texture to the piece, whilst simultaneously transforming these well-known figures into a 2D pop art icon.

Warhol transforms this historical portrait into a modern-day symbol of significance, pointing to Buber's enduring popularity in 1980s American pop culture. This not only contributes to Warhol's investigation of themes of mortality that run throughout his work, but it also reflects his ongoing fascination with the notion of celebrity. Warhol presents the dichotomy of representation and reality through a combination of hand drawn lines, unusual hues, abstracted geometric forms, and the original photographic image.

Buy Andy Warhol Miartin Buber (F & S II 228)

Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Warhol market for over 20 years. To enquire about buying  Martin Buber (F & S II 228)  by Andy Warhol, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.

Sell Martin Buber (F & S II 228) by Andy Warhol

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Martin Buber (F & S II 228) 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 Martin Buber (F & S II 228) print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Andy Warhol original prints for sale.