Artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat & Andy Warhol (Americans, 20th Century).
Title: "Palladium Presents: Warhol * Basquiat Paintings [Variation #2]".
Medium: Original color offset lithograph.
Date: Composed 1985.
Dimensions: Overall size: 17 5/16 x 11 1/16 in. (440 x 281 mm). Image size: 17 5/16 x 11 1/16 in. (440 x 281 mm).
Lot Note(s): Signed by both artists in black marker, lower left and lower right. Edition size unspecified, presumed very small. White wove paper. The full sheet. Fine impression. Very good condition; colors strong; some dimples in the image; pinholes in corners; original folds as issued for mailing. Comment(s): Rare. The companion piece to the legendary, iconic, and famous exhibition poster (offered elsewhere in this auction) of two of the greatest artists of the latter part of the 20th Century, standing side by side, perhaps the most poignant and enduring image of the 1980's NYC art scene. Our example is the second variant of the "invitation poster" showing Warhol landing a punch on Basquiat's chin. The second variant is identical to the first variant except for the admission price, which is "Admission Twenty Dollars" in the second variant and "Complimentary Admission for Two" in the first variant. While the poster with Warhol and Basquiat standing side by side (titled "Tony Shafrazi * Bruno Bischofberger Present: Warhol * Basquiat Paintings, September 14 through October 19, 1985, 163 Mercer Street, New York) is occasionally obtainable, the alternative version (our "invitation poster") was issued for a one-night only event at the Palladium (not at the Tony Shafrazi Gallery) and very few were printed. We could locate only 2 auction records of this poster in the past 28 years, with only one of these being signed, which sold for $4,153 (€3,222) at PIASA, Paris, November 23, 2008, lot #413. The photograph is by Michael Halsband who also took the picture for the exhibition poster. Undoubtedly to be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonne of Warhol's non-commissioned posters by Paul Marechal. The full title of the poster is: "Palladium Presents Warhol * Basquiat Paintings, Saturday * September 14 * 1985 * 10 PM, Palladium, 126 East 14 Street, Exhibition at Tony Shafrazi Gallery, Admission Twenty Dollars.". [28545-3-4000] |
