Andy Warhol Gems, 1978 FS II.189 is one of four screenprints in Warhol's series about rare gemstones. Warhol began collecting jewelry later in his life, and was longtime friends with Paloma Picasso, a career jewelry designer at Tiffany & Co. Throughout his career, Warhol was concerned with issues like capitalism, consumerism, and celebrity in American society. The artist was famous for his circle of celebrity friends and surrounded himself with upper class people, socialites, models and actors. Warhol's studio, dubbed The Factory, was a cultural hub for wild parties and celebrations. Flashy jewelry full of rare rubies, diamonds, emeralds were common accessories for people in these circles. Expensive jewelry is associated with status, class, and capitalism, an ostentatious display of wealth, so it makes perfect sense Warhol would be interested in this subject. This print features a diamond, comprised of a multitude of colors, greys, greens, purples and blues, to portray its brilliance. Warhol's hand sketched linework creates shape and forms the shadows and adds a artist's touch to the work.

Created in 1977, this work is a screenprint on Strathmore Bristol paper, hand signed by Andy Warhol in felt pen in the lower left.  Numbered from an edition of 20, aside from 5 Artist Proofs marked 'AP,' one Printer's Proof marked 'PP,' and two Printer's Proofs numbered in Roman numerals..

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol Gems, 1978 FS II.189 is fully documented and referenced in the below catalogue raisonné 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, A Catalogue Raisonne, 4th ed. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. II.189 on page 103.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy WarholGems, 1978 FS II.189 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.