Andy Warhol Van Heusen (F & S II.356) For Sale

Van Heusen (Ronald Reagan) is one of the ten pieces of art from Andy Warhol's 1985 Ads series. Through the series, Warhol demonstrates his vivid, sardonic, and iconic-sensitive imagination by reimagining propaganda and popular commercials. Ronald Reagan's pre-presidential image as an actor and brand ambassador for different commercial brands is captured by Van Heusen. Reagan's happy face is set against a dystopian background in this screenprint, which has the appearance of a 3D comic image. Reagan is flashing his Hollywood smile at the viewer, and Warhol employs red gestural lines to define his face and physique. Reagan is photographed from the shoulders up, depicted against a stark white background, which highlights and dominates the composition's red outlines and turquoise shirt. Nestled beside Reagan, in an elegant red and green script, is Van Heusen's tagline, proclaiming that their shirts "won't wrinkle ever!"  This makes for a powerful and visually arresting image. The print is based on a 1953 commercial the politician from America produced for Van Heusen shirts. Consumption captivated Warhol, who frequently created prints of commonplace consumer goods like Campbell's Soup cans or high-heeled shoes. Warhol created the Ads series, which includes this print, two years before to his untimely death in 1987. Warhol recreates well-known advertisements from the 1950s using his Pop Art style to honour them in this set of ten prints.

In the months preceding the election, Warhol's assistance Bob Colacello said that the Pop artist had declined two commissions to paint portraits of Reagan. But over time, Warhol and the Reagan family's connection changed. Despite his political inclinations, Warhol was first hesitant to paint pictures of Ronald Reagan; however, he went to his inauguration and became friendly with his son and daughter-in-law. Because of their connection, Warhol was able to interview Nancy Reagan for Interview magazine, which resulted in a cover story. Warhol's portrayal of the former president prior to his political career demonstrates his close ties to modern American culture and the media. But given that Warhol had a history of depicting political figures, such as Jimmy Carter, and John F. Kennedy, Reagan's predecessors, the piece seems to have a deeper political significance. Reagan's crisp image and his seminal impact on conservative, Yuppie “white-collar” society during the 1980s are emphasised in the screenprint, but it also lightheartedly pokes fun at the president's Hollywood background and implies that he had always been a representation of big business and capitalist culture.

Buy Andy Warhol Van Heusen (F & S II.356)

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Sell Rebel Van Heusen (F & S II.356) by Andy Warhol

With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Andy Warhol Van Heusen (F & S II.356) 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 Rebel Without A Cause (F & S II.356) print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371. Explore our collection of Andy Warhol original prints for sale.