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Lot Essay
In the 1950s, Andy Warhol explored basic printmaking for his self-published portfolios, books, and commercial illustrations. He reproduced his blotted-line ink drawings as offset lithographs, usually in one color and on white paper, sometimes with hand-colored elements. Warhol’s work in the 1950s was heavily influenced by Julia Warhola’s illustrative style and content. Inspired by his mother's love of cats, Warhol produced 25 Cats Name[d] Sam. His mother did the lettering, and Warhol's friends and studio assistants attended "coloring parties" to paint in the cats with brightly-colored watercolor dyes.
The cats are rendered carefully, with focus on form and color. 25 Cats Name[d] Sam reflects Warhol's deeply personal connection with his mother. After having moved in with him in New York to help him as an artist and she later released a sort of sequel to 25 Cats Name[d] Sam in 1957, Holy Cats.
This copy is numbered 8 of 190 and dedicated to Bradbury Thompson, art director of Mademoiselle magazine, who had commissioned Warhol to do fashion illustration during this time.
The cats are rendered carefully, with focus on form and color. 25 Cats Name[d] Sam reflects Warhol's deeply personal connection with his mother. After having moved in with him in New York to help him as an artist and she later released a sort of sequel to 25 Cats Name[d] Sam in 1957, Holy Cats.
This copy is numbered 8 of 190 and dedicated to Bradbury Thompson, art director of Mademoiselle magazine, who had commissioned Warhol to do fashion illustration during this time.