Andy Warhol's Birth of Venus from Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 FS IIB. 316-319 is a remarkable and sought after work. Although Warhol is renowned for his iconic portraits of celebrities and cultural icons, in 1984, he turned his attention to classical art and produced the series Details of Renaissance Paintings "Birth of Venus", showcasing cropped images of Old Master paintings.

In his interpretation Boticelli’s Venus, Warhol combines his signature pop style with one of the most recognizable images of classical art. From the complete portfolio of four, each image of Venus subverts art historical tradition and gains an iconic status in modern art.

Venus, the Roman goddess of love is transformed through vibrant colors, bestowing upon her a celebrity status. Even though Boticelli’s original painting included an elaborate background to the goddess, Warhol chooses instead to focus on her face and flowing hair. Each image accentuates her hair color against a sharp, contrasting background in order to magnify her divinity and beauty. in this image, her face is a glowing yellow while her hair colored with multiple shades of violet. Above all, Warhol redefines a classical art piece as a modern American icon.

Created in 1984, this screenprint on Arches Aquarelle (Cold Pressed) paper is hand-signed by Andy Warhol (Pennsylvania, 1928 - New York, 1987) in pencil in the lower left and inscribed “T.P. 13/36” (Trial Proof); aside from a numbered edition of 70, 5 Printer's Proofs, 5 Hors Commerce; Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York; Published by Editions Schellmann & Kluser, Germany.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:

Andy Warhol Birth of Venus from Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 FS IIB. 316-319 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonnés and texts (copies will be enclosed as added documentation with the invoices that will accompany the sale of the work).

1. Feldman, Frayda and Jörg Schellmann. Andy Warhol Prints, A Catalogue Raisonné, 1989. Other variants are listed and illustrated as catalogue raisonné  no. IIB. 316-319
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork

About the Framing:

Andy Warhol Birth of Venus from Details of Renaissance Paintings, 1984 FS IIB. 316-319 is framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, presented in a complimentary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.