Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987)

LOT ID: 91631

Nude Portrait of Paloma Picasso: Unique Photographic Acetate,, ie. circa 1974

Other, Acetate, Photographic Negative

14 х 17 in. (35.56 x 43.18 cm.)

Other, Accompanied by a hand signed letter of provenance from the representative of the Lowell family, owners of the famous printing studio Chromacomp that published important prints of Warhols, including Paloma Picasso, in the 1970s

Edition UNIQUE

Foundry/Publisher Andy Warhol

Lot description

This is an original, unique black and white acetate created from Andy Warhol's unique drawing of Pablo Picasso's daughter Paloma. Warhol used acetates of his photographs as well as drawings as inspiration for his screenprints. The provenance is Andy Warhol's studio "The Factory". This is one of fewer than a handful of acetates of Paloma Picasso that remain in existence today.

“Somebody called me up and asked me what I thought of [Pablo] Picasso and I said I never think about Picasso, I just think about Paloma.” (Andy Warhol, quoted in L. Persky, “Picasso,” Interview,September 1980) Fashion designer Paloma Picasso was one of Andy Warhol’s closest friends who confided in him as she launched her jewelry line and enjoyed nights at Studio 54 as a part of his inner circle.

Bob Colacello, former Editor in Chief of Interview magazine (and right hand man to Andy Warhol) explained, "many hands were involved in the rather mechanical silkscreening process...but only Andy in all the years I knew him, worked on the acetates." An acetate is a photographic negative transferred to a transparency, allowing an image to be magnified and projected onto a screen. As only Andy worked on the acetates, it was the last original step prior to the screenprinting of an image, and the most important element in Warhol's creative process for silkscreening. The photographs were then sent to a commercial silkscreen shop - Chromacomp - where they were transferred onto the silk or silk-like fabric and then returned to Warhol for printing.

This acetate was brought by Warhol to Eunice and Jackson Lowell, owners of Chromacomp, a fine art printing studio in NYC, and was acquired directly from the Lowell's private collection. During the 1970s and 80s, Chromacomp was the premier atelier for fine art limited edition silkscreen prints; indeed, Chromacomp was the largest studio producing fine art prints in the world for artists such as Andy Warhol, Leroy Neiman, Erte, Robert Natkin, Larry Zox, Nell Blaine, and many more. All of the plates were done by hand and in some cases photographically.

This piece has never been on the open market before.

Famed printer Alexander Heinrici worked for Eunice & Jackson Lowell at Chromacomp and brought Andy Warhol in as an account. Shortly after, Warhol or his workers brought in several boxes of photographs, paper and/or acetates and asked Jackson Lowell to use his equipment to enlarge certain images or portions of images. Warhol made comments and or changes and asked the Lowells to print some editions; others were printed elsewhere.

The Lowell's allowed the printer to be named as Alexander Heinrici rather than Chromacomp, since Heinrici was the one who brought the account in. Other images were never printed by Chromacomp- they were simply being considered by Warhol. After completing the screenprint of Paloma Picasso, Warhol left the remaining acetates, including this one, with Eunice and Jackson Lowell. After the Lowells closed the shop, the photographs were packed away where they remained for nearly a quarter of a century.

Shown for reference only -- to the right-- is an image one of Warhol's original drawings of Paloma Picasso that was used to create this acetate.

The acetate is in good vintage condition, though there is some scratching and scuffing to the front (see photos) and the back has red discoloration marks throughout. (please see photo) However, those would not be seen when the acetate is framed.

Own a piece of Pop Art history -- and one of the few authentic pieces by Andy Warhol that has not yet come to market. It is accompanied by a hand signed letter of provenance from the Lowell family representative, addressed to the dealer who acquired the collection from Chromacomp, Inc. The acetate is exactly as it was brought from Warhol - unevenly cut, with an approximately 2" long by 1/4" wide strip of scotch tape on the far left edge.

Literature and Catalogue Raisonné
Literature and Catalogue Raisonné
Condition Report
Condition Report

The seller has recorded the following condition for this lot:

Description:	Biological Degradation / Decay / Deterioration
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Location:	Verso
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Area:	Margin, Image
Degree:	Extreme
Notes:	Red oxidation/discoloration apparent throughout the verso (back) of the acetate. (see photos). The recto (shown) is completely fine, however


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Description:	Indentations / Ding
Date
Date
Location:	Overall
Location:
Area:	Margin
Degree:
Notes:	minor dings and indentations by the margins that will frame out


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Description:	Surface Soiling / Requires Cleaning
Date
Date
Location:	Overall
Location:
Area:	Margin
Degree:	Minor
Notes:	could use very gentle cleaning


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Definition Key

History and Provenance
History and Provenance
Provenance:
Andy Warhol's Studio, The Factory
Chromacomp, Inc.: Collection of Eunice and Jack Lowell, owners of Chromacomp
Private Collection, USA
Shipping Information
Shipping Information
Shipping Weight: 1 lbs

Framing: No

Item Location: New York, USA
Payment and Return Policies
Payment and Return Policies
Accepted:
Wire Transfer

Sales Tax: New York

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Bree Hughes

Associate Specialist, Photographs

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Lot ID

91631

Artist

Andy Warhol

Title

Nude Portrait of Paloma Picasso: Unique Photographic Acetate,

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Margin Area	Edge, border, or perimeter areas
Image Area	Central image, focal point of the item/image.

Minor	Existing condition generally does not involve risk of loss
Moderate	Noticeable, increasing in severity and/or size; not serious, but should be monitored or corrected by a conservator
Major	Distinct, recognizable damage; stability of the work is questionable; risk is a factor; requires the attention of a conservator
Extreme	Advanced and severe damage; work is insecure and at great risk

Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987) LOT ID: 91631 Nude Portrait of Paloma Picasso: Unique Photographic Acetate,, ie. circa 1974

CONFIRMATION

Bree Hughes

Sales Results for Comparable Works

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987)

LOT ID: 91631

Nude Portrait of Paloma Picasso: Unique Photographic Acetate,, ie. circa 1974