H. C. Andersen 1987
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© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London 2009

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H. C. Andersen 1987 1987
  • Artist Rooms
Hans Christian Andersen was a nineteenth-century Danish author and poet who is famous for his fairytales. Warhol created several portfolios containing four screenprints based on the author. Each series comprises a portrait of Andersen based on an official photograph. The further three prints in the portfolio, of which this poster depicts an example, derive from Andersen’s own cut-out shapes. As a hobby Andersen would always carry a pair of scissors which he would use to make paper silhouettes. Warhol has adapted these symmetrical and rather abstract images, into colourful screenprints.

Glossary Open

Portfolio

A group of art works, by one or more artists, issued or housed together in a portfolio case. This often applies to photographs or prints, and portfolios often include a title page or introductory text. The term is also used to describe a group of works which exemplify an artist's work overall.

Screenprint

A print made by forcing ink through a screen on which a stencil is placed. Traditionally used for commercial printing, it has been taken up by artists since the 1960s when it was used extensively in Pop art.

Silhouette

Images showing an outline with no internal detail set against a contrasting background. It is specifically used for portraits of this type cut from paper.

Portfolio, Screenprint, Silhouette

Details

  • Acc. No. AR00399
  • Medium Screenprint on paper
  • Size 81.80 x 59.90 cm
  • Credit ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008

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Artist Rooms