Warhol’s “Purple Fright Wig” Self-Portrait Sells for Scary $32,562,500!!
source: http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/andy-warhols-purple-fright-wig-self-portrait-sel...
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On May 12th, a rare nine-foot-square self-portrait by Andy Warhol, his “Purple-Hued Fright Wig” painting, was offered for auction at Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Evening Sale in New York City. Warhol’s painting had an estimated value of $10,000,000—15,000,000, but after heated bidding the painting sold for $32,562,500. The self-portrait had been put up for auction by the fashion designer Tom Ford, who acquired the acrylic and silkscreen ink work in 1998 from the estate of the artist. Warhol’s iconic and rare self-portrait was executed in 1986, just prior to his unexpected death the following year.
From the young artist in the photo-booth and The Factory of the 1960s, to the art-world elder statesman contemplating his own mortality, Warhol’s self-portraits stand out as an unparalleled body of work. Andy Warhol’s lifelong obsession with self-portraiture and mortality was enhanced by three dangerous encounters during the 1960s. The most dangerous experience occurred on June 3, 1968 when the deranged Valerie Solanas entered The Factory and shot Warhol, who was gravely injured and lucky to have survived. The close encounter with death subsequently inspired the artist to produce numerous self-portraits, culminating in his fright-wig paintings.
Ford’s decision to sell his Warhol self-portrait came after auction houses had achieved astounding results with the artist’s works. Warhol’s 1963 Green Car Crash went for $71.7 Million at Christie’s in 2007, and his 1962 silk-screen painting 200 One Dollar Bills sold for $43.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2009.
This piece includes colorful photographs, a slide show of Warhol's self-portraiture, and a short film about the painting.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/andy-warhols-purple-fright-wig-self-...
From the young artist in the photo-booth and The Factory of the 1960s, to the art-world elder statesman contemplating his own mortality, Warhol’s self-portraits stand out as an unparalleled body of work. Andy Warhol’s lifelong obsession with self-portraiture and mortality was enhanced by three dangerous encounters during the 1960s. The most dangerous experience occurred on June 3, 1968 when the deranged Valerie Solanas entered The Factory and shot Warhol, who was gravely injured and lucky to have survived. The close encounter with death subsequently inspired the artist to produce numerous self-portraits, culminating in his fright-wig paintings.
Ford’s decision to sell his Warhol self-portrait came after auction houses had achieved astounding results with the artist’s works. Warhol’s 1963 Green Car Crash went for $71.7 Million at Christie’s in 2007, and his 1962 silk-screen painting 200 One Dollar Bills sold for $43.8 million at Sotheby’s in 2009.
This piece includes colorful photographs, a slide show of Warhol's self-portraiture, and a short film about the painting.
http://disembedded.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/andy-warhols-purple-fright-wig-self-...
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