Andy Warhol

The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., New York
Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
Private Collection, London
Sale: London, Philips de Pury & Co., Contemporary Art, 29 June 2009, Lot 10
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner

Colour: The colours in the catalogue illustration are fairly accurate, although the overall tonality is deeper and richer in the original. The catalogue illustration fails to fully convey the metallic gold and silver hues apparent in the original. Condition: This work is in very good condition. No restoration is apparent when examined under ultra-violet light.
"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."

Painted in 1983, this visually striking metallic gun painting is a seminal work in Warhol's Gun Series. The five guns are placed on their side, allowing the viewer to appreciate the weapon's lethal allure whilst not being directly threatened by it. The shimmery, metallic finish of the painting presents the gun as a sleek, iconic image, also suggesting its desirability as a consumer product.

Death and violence are recurring and distinctive themes which feature heavily within Warhol's oeuvre. The artist's fear of death was heightened, however, following an assassination attempt on his life in 1968, leaving him critically injured. The incident also presented the artist with a profound association with guns and an acute awareness of the potential destruction and devastation which the weapon can cause. It was shortly after this event that Warhol created his Guns and Knives series of artworks. One of the two guns featured in this work is a HI-Standard snub-nosed .22 Caliber-the same gun that Valerie Solanas had used to shoot Warhol in 1968. Although the artist rejected the idea that his work functioned as social criticism, the images act as stark reminders of violence within society and the darker side of American culture.