Andy Warhol

Alexander Iolas Collection, Athens (acquired directly from the artist)
Acquired by the present owner from the above in 1991

This work is very good condition overall. There is evidence of light wear and handling along the edges and corners with a few abrasions on the side lateral edges. Additionally, there are a couple of gold accretions located at the corners. There are no signs of restoration under UV light inspection. Unframed.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"I like money on the wall. Say you were going to buy a $200,000 painting. I think you should take that money, tie it up, and hang it on the wall. Then when someone visited you, the first thing they would see is the money on the wall." - Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol’s Dollar Sign works are most often regarded as a commentary on the greed and commercialism of Western society, although Warhol did not hide his own affection for money. When describing how he arrived at the idea to paint this subject Warhol explained, "I'd asked around 10 or 15 people for suggestions. Finally one lady friend asked the right question, 'Well, what do you love most?' That's how I started painting money."  Warhol had first produced works containing dollar bills earlier in his career in the 1960’s and returned to the theme in the early 1980’s.  By this time Warhol had experienced much commercial success from his celebrity and commissioned portraits of the 70’s. His achievements as an artist had become an icon in itself: "Warhol’s Dollar Signs are brazen, perhaps even insolent reminders that pictures by brand-name artists are metaphors for money, a situation that never troubled him" (David Bourdon, Warhol, New York, 1989, p. 384).

The Dollar Signs of the 1980’s were expressed in multiple typefaces and styles. The present Dollar Sign is a rare occurrence where the artist layered screenprints of two different typefaces on the same canvas.  The first screen is a loose, hand-sketched dollar sign and the top screen the standardized typeface, more frequently depicted in the series. The deep emerald green of the dollar sign in the foreground against the pastel green background consciously recalls the familiar hues of US currency.  From visually layering the two character styles, extending them beyond the edges of the composition, and through his bold use of energetic line, Warhol manages to transform this symbol, which directly represents such vulgar notions of wealth and avarice, into a highly dynamic, striking image that pulsates across the canvas’ surface.