Andy Warhol

Acquired directly from the artist's studio (Factory)
Pat Hearn Collection, New York
Sale: Phillips de Pury & Company, New York, Contemporary Art, 12 November 2004, lot 263
Acquired from the above by the current owner

The background is gold, less yellow than in the catalogue illustration. The work is executed on its original canvas and is not relined. There are some very minor wears on the upper left and lower corners. Under Ultra Violet light inspection there is no evidence of restoration. This work is in very good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Pat Hearn left her imprint on the art world as a pioneer who stood at the forefront of the New York City art scene. She was one of the firsts to boldly open galleries in Chelsea and in a relatively gallery-free area of SoHo (on Wooster Street near Grand), inaugurating both neighborhoods for art and founding the Gramercy International Art Fair, known today as the Armory Show. She was both an inspiration and a well-respected art dealer, as well as a sophisticated, tasteful woman. This silkscreen portrait by Andy Warhol is a tribute to her accomplishments and her success as a cutting edge female personality. By unveiling her most feminine features, Warhol exposes the art world celebrity in an atypical intimate light. Here, the gallerist becomes the subject of art. With this portrait, Pat Hearn, who was renown for being more interested in other artists' work than her own, becomes the muse of Andy Warhol and subsequently, an icon. The use of gold coupled with her posing on her knees further conveys a sense idolatrousness and sacredness. The choice of color and female subject of Pat Hearn also echoes back to Warhol's famous 1962 Gold Marilyn, where gold and portraiture seem to serve to elevate women to the level of the divine.