This drawing shows a preliminary design for the first edition copy of Samuel Barber’s opera, A Hand of Bridge, published by G. Schirmer in 1961. The extremely short opera centres on two couples who are playing bridge, with each character in turn singing a fantasised monologue. Composed by Barber, the text was written by his lifelong friend, Gian Carlo Menotti and the opera was first performed at the ‘Festival of Two Worlds’ in Spoleto, Italy, in June 1959. This drawing is typical of Warhol’s commercial illustrations, with his blotted-line technique combined with vibrant colouring. The calligraphy was almost certainly added by Warhol’s mother, Julia, who regularly assisted with her son’s illustrations, adding colour and calligraphy, and even signing his name.