James Warhola, nephew of American artist Andy Warhol, in New York on November 10, 2022 (AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY)
The nephew of Andy Warhol, custodian of the works of the world famous artist of pop art and modern art, is selling two early paintings in New York on Tuesday which had never been put on the market and which had even been lost in the 1970s.
A self-portrait of 1948 “Nosepicker 1: Why Pick on Me” and “Living Room” of the same year — with notoriety without common measure with the emblematic works “Campbell’s Soup” or “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” — are put in the auction Tuesday evening by the New York house Phillips.
“Nosepicker 1” is estimated between $300,000 and $500,000 and “Living Room” between $250,000 and $450,000, representatives of Phillips and Andy’s nephew James Warhola told AFP.
“These two paintings have been in the family for 70 years and we have enjoyed them for many years,” says Mr. Warhola, 67-year-old American artist and illustrator, son of Andy Warhol’s older brother (1928-1987).
– 20 years –
“There are seven children (heirs), my parents are deceased, it is unfortunately time to sell them and share the gains” from these works of the expressionist current, “totally unique” at Warhol, says his nephew smiling.
James Warhola, nephew of American artist Andy Warhol, in New York on November 10, 2022 (AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY)
Warhol’s youthful self-portrait sticking his finger in his nose — he was only 20 in 1948 — and the painting from his living room in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) have been exhibited several times around the world, but these works were very nearly lost.
In his presentation, Phillips recounts that the Warhola family had their car stolen in the late 1970s, with the two paintings stored in the vehicle.
“Fortunately for the family and art enthusiasts around the world, the car was found, with the works completely unscathed,” rejoices the auction house.
Tuesday evening we will be light years away from the astronomical amounts reached at auction by the works of Warhol. On Wednesday, Sotheby’s is selling a monumental and emblematic work by the artist, “White Disaster [White Car Crash 19 Times]”, with an estimate of over $80 million.
Christie’s had sold on May 9 in New York a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” (1964), for 195 million dollars, an auction record for a work of art of the 20th century.
“With my six brothers and sisters, one cannot believe that this work has so much value. I believe that my uncle Andy would be flattered (…) him, who as a father, was very very affectionate with his family”, breathes with a broad smile Mr. Warhola, who kept the “a” in the name of the family emigrated from Eastern Europe to America at the beginning of the last century.
© 2022 AFP
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