Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.161 was inspired by Warhol's 1976 trip to Italy, where he witnessed the hammer and sickle symbol as popular graffiti all over the country at the time. Warhol was intrigued by the repeated nature of the symbol, less interested in the political notions the symbol carried, and more fascinated by the symbol itself. When he returned from Italy, he tasked his studio assistant Ronnie Cutrone with finding Warhol suitable references of the communist symbol for him to work with. Finding nothing but flat and two-dimensional references from flags and other political materials, Cutrone went out and bought a real hammer and sickle which he photographed himself. Warhol created this portfolio of screenprints based on the photos that Cutrone took, and was able to deconstruct the iconic symbol of the hammer and sickle in unique ways. Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.161 shows the hammer leaning up against the sickle, both objects blocked out in shades of red against a black background. Warhol's sketched line work is visibly overlaid over the scene, adding dimension and visual interest, a common Warhol technique in his screenprinting.

Created in 1977, this work is a screenprint on Strathmore Bristol paper, hand signed by Andy Warhol in pencil in the lower left.  Numbered from an edition of 50, aside from 10 Artist Proofs marked 'AP,' 2 Printer's Proofs marked 'PP,' and one Hors Commerce marked 'HC.'

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.161 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.161 on page 98.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy Warhol Hammer and Sickle, 1977 FS II.161 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.