Andy Warhol

Self-Portrait with Fright Wig

About this artwork

This Polaroid is one of several that Warhol took in preparation for a series of large-scale screenprints commissioned by Anthony D’Offay for an exhibition at his London gallery in 1986. In the photographs, and subsequently transferred into the paintings, Warhol’s skull-like head is isolated from his body, floating against a dark background. This composition bears striking similarities to a Robert Mapplethorpe photographic portrait of Warhol from the same year. In both, Warhol wears his famous silver wig, but, in this Polaroid, the hair stands on end in an almost manic fashion, his eyes fixed on the viewer in a piercing, hypnotic gaze. This series of self-portraits were the last Warhol completed before his death in 1987.

Updated before 2020

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  • artist:
    Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987) American
  • title:
    Self-Portrait with Fright Wig
  • date created:
    1986
  • materials:
    Photograph, colour, Polaroid, on paper
  • measurements:
    9.40 x 7.20 cm (framed: 36.00 x 30.50 x 3.00 cm)
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00312
  • gallery:
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol