(Photo courtesy of John Dowd, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts)
One-of-kind works of art hit the Scottsdale auction block Oct. 22
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
The Fall Larsen Art Auction is returning Saturday, Oct. 22, to the Scottsdale-based gallery with an estimated 400 lots.
Among the artwork already garnering worldwide attention is the “Andy Warhol Self Portrait,” according to a press release.
Conceived in 1964, the red Andy Warhol self-portrait is an acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen painting. This particular self-portrait is from Richard Ekstract’s original group of Self-Portraits commissioned directly from Andy Warhol, the release states.
Now 91-years-old, Mr. Ekstract is auctioning off the Andy Warhol Self-Portrait. Mr. Ekstract originally commissioned this group of red self-portraits directly from Mr. Warhol, in an agreed upon trade, that was undertaken in good faith by both parties. The story of their execution is complex but completely in keeping with the artist’s working methods.
What is relevant is that these Self-Portraits were created from acetates provided by Mr. Warhol, screened by a printer of his choice who followed his directions, examined by him, and approved by him, the release states.
“This collaborative process was consistent with Warhol’s philosophy of making art. It is our opinion and other experts that Andy Warhol intended for this group of seven Self-Portraits to be part of his oeuvre,” said Scott Larsen, owner of Larsen Art Auction.
Richard Polsky, who provided authentication on this Andy Warhol Self Portrait, says there is no doubt this is an extremely rare piece with quite the history and now an honor for Larsen Art Auction to be able to auction it off.
“This is a classic Warhol painting from the 1960’s and would make a wonderful addition to any collection,” said Mr. Polsky from his Santa Fe residence. “Andy Warhol was arguably the most important artist of the 20th Century and to own an original Warhol like this one would most certainly feel the presence of Andy in the room.”
