Post by Cowley Abbott

Andy Warhol was a leading figure in the visual art movement of pop art that flourished in the 1960s. Warhol was an artist, film director and producer who explored the relationship between artistic expression, advertising and celebrity culture. For #ThrowbackThursday we are highlighting “The Shadow” by Warhol, a work entrusted to Cowley Abbott in 2015. This screenprint was officially part of a 1981 series called “Myths,” which included images of well known characters such as Dracula, Mickey Mouse, Superman, and Santa Claus. Warhol's self-portrait was the most obvious suggestion of irony in the series. By using imaginary childhood characters, Warhol used nostalgia to shed light on society's “naive believe in heroes and demons” by raising “crucial questions about the role of the media in shaping cultural values.” “The Shadow” features Warhol's signature Diamond Dust; fine particles of crushed glass, which were applied to the print when wet to give the artwork a sparkling appearance. ⚡️Andy Warhol, “The Shadow”, screenprint on lenox museum board, 38 x 38 ins, Sold for $18,530 (September 24th, 2015)