Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987)
Title: Ladies and Gentlemen (s.9844)
Medium: Original screen print in colours, 1975, signed, numbered and dated by the artist verso
Edition: 110/125
Printed by: Alexander Heinricht, New York
Published by : Luciano Anselmino, Milan
Note: From the Portfolio of 10:
The Photographs personally taken by the man himself, Andy Warhol depicts a series of transgender Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975. Provocative, ambiguous, and direct, this series marks his departure from portraiture based on appropriated images.
The 1970s represented the height of Studio 54 as the United States entered a more liberal mindset. During this time, the homosexual and drag community began boldly embracing their sexuality. This atmosphere inspired Warhol to create a series of 10 screenprints titled Ladies and Gentlemen, 1975. The idea for the series originally came from art dealer Luciano Anselmino. Under Warhol’s direction, Bob Colacello, editor of Interview magazine, recruited several black and Hispanic drag queens from the The Gilded Grape in Greenwich village. Warhol was undeniably fascinated by these performers who represented self-fashioned personas in a glamorous, exhibitionist manner. This series was first exhibited in Italy at the Palazzo di Diamente.
Size: Sheet 1107 x 733mm (43 5/8 x 28 7/8in)
Reference: Feldman & Schellmann: Andy Warhol Prints, A catalogue Raisonne 1962/1987 : Number 11.136 (Page 91 of the F&S Catalogue)
