Gilbert and George
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? The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London 2009

Reference URL

Gilbert and George 1976
  • Artist Rooms
In the early 1970s Warhol began to accept regular commissions to paint the portraits of the rich and famous. However, as well as commissions, Warhol painted a number of portraits of people he admired, especially other artists. The British artist-duo Gilbert and George, like Warhol, are recognised as much for their appearance as their art. These Polaroid photographs of the pair relate to the screenprinted diptych Warhol created the same year. Gilbert and George, who specialise in staged photographs of themselves, have posed for Warhol?s snapshots in a highly self-conscious manner. They appear to be adopting different characters, much like Warhol?s self-portrait photographs of around the same time.

Glossary Open

Commission

When an individual or organisation employs an artist to execute a particular project, the process and the resulting work are termed a `commission?.

Diptych

An artwork consisting of two components, often joined in the centre by a hinge.

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.

Commission, Diptych, Screenprint

Details

  • Acc. No. AR00316
  • Medium Photographs on paper
  • Size 10.80 x 8.50 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