Andy Warhol Orangutan screenprint from the Endangered Species Series, 1983 is a beautiful example of Warhol’s Endangered Species Portfolio. In 1983, Warhol was commission by Ron Feldman, his publisher, and his wife Freyda, to create the Endangered Species Series. The goal was to highlight animals that were endangered and increase awareness around environmental consciousness and conservation. Warhol used bright and saturated colors to create these animal portraits, and he referred to this portfolio as his “animals in make-up” because of this.

Andy Warhol Orangutan screenprint focuses on the critically endangered orangutan, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. One of the great apes of this world, orangutans today are still in danger of losing the environments they depend on largely due to deforestation caused by the palm oil industry. Warhol chose to picture what looks to be a male orangutan, based on its wide cheek pads. Orangutans are one of the most endangered great apes and symbolize the magnificence of animals like chimpanzees and gorillas. Warhol chose to use bright yellows and reddish browns to create a contrasting portrait of the human-like orangutan. With thin lines of neon greens and blues, the orangutan’s face takes shape and reminds us all how important conserving these incredible animals is.

Created in 1983, Andy Warhol Orangutan, Endangered Species Series is a screenprint on Lenox Museum Board. This work is hand-signed by Andy Warhol (Pennsylvania, 1928 - New York, 1987) in pencil in the lower left image. Numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil in the lower left image.

Andy Warhol Endangered Species Screenprints Series:

In 1983, Warhol was commissioned by Ron Feldman, his publisher, and his wife Freyda, to create the Endangered Species Series. The goal was to highlight animals that were endangered and increase awareness around environmental consciousness and conservation. Warhol used bright and saturated colors to create these animal portraits, and he referred to this portfolio as his “animals in make-up” because of this.

The Andy Warhol Endangered Species series is a collection of 10 silk-screened prints created by the famous American artist Andy Warhol in 1983. The series was commissioned by Ronald and Frayda Feldman, who were art collectors and environmental activists. The prints were intended to raise awareness about the plight of endangered animals and to highlight the importance of conservation efforts.

Each of the 10 prints in the series features a different endangered animal. The subjects include the Siberian Tiger, Black Rhinocerous, Bighorn Ram, Grevy's Zebra, Orangutan, Silverspot Butterfly, Pine Barrens Tree Frog, African Elephant, and Giant Panda.

Warhol created the Endangered Species series at a time when the world was becoming increasingly aware of the dangers facing many animal species. Through his art, Warhol aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for conservation and preservation efforts to protect these animals and their habitats.

The prints in the series are visually striking, featuring bright, bold colors and strong graphic images that are characteristic of Warhol's signature pop-art style. They are considered some of the most iconic works in Warhol's oeuvre and have become highly sought-after by collectors and art enthusiasts alike.

Catalogue Raisonné & COA:
Andy Warhol, Orangutan, Endangered Species Series, 1983 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, A Catalogue Raisonne, 4th ed. Listed as catalogue raisonné no. II.299.
2. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany this artwork.

About the Framing:
Framed to museum-grade, conservation standards, Andy Warhol, Orangutan, Endangered Species Series, 1983 is presented in a complementary moulding and finished with silk-wrapped mats and optical grade Plexiglas.