Portrait of Liz Taylor by Andy Warhol at auction

Andy Warhol (1928-1987)
‘Silver Liz’ stamped with the artist’s signature and further annotated by Frederick Hughes (on the overlap) synthetic polymer paint, silkscreen inks and spray paint on linen 39.7/8 x 39.3/8in. (101.5 x 99.7cm.)
Executed in 1963
Estimate: £6,000,000 – 8,000,000

Portrait of Liz Taylor by Andy Warhol at auction Christie’s announce that they will offer an icon of Pop Art – Silver Liz by Andy Warhol (1928-1987) – at the Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening Auction on 30 June 2010]]>

June 11th 2010, source:Christie’s
Unseen in public for over 20 years, the work was executed in 1963 and is one of only 2 paintings to depict the celebrated actress and Hollywood icon with her legendary violet eyes. Painted the year that she became the first $1 million actress, it is expected to realise £6 million to £8 million.

The evening auction will offer 63 lots with a pre-sale estimate of £40,590,000 to £57,640,000, and will also present a core group by the YBAs, including 3 works shown at the renowned Sensation exhibition, as well as important paintings, sculptures and installations by Roy Lichtenstein, Andreas Gursky, Gerhard Richter, Jeff Koons, Alexander Calder, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Alighiero Boetti, among others.

Francis Outred, Head of Post-War and Contemporary Art, Christie’s Europe: “This rare portrait of ‘Liz’, which is one of only two to show the screen legend with her violet eyes, has been unseen in public since 1989, and we are thrilled to be able to present it to a public audience in London alongside works by other leading artists of the past 60 years, from Gerhard Richter and Alexander Calder to Jeff Koons and Andreas Gursky. Andy Warhol is arguably the most influential artist of the Post War years, and his work continues to draw increasing levels of global interest and produce strong results at auction. Reflecting the global nature of contemporary life is another stellar work – ‘Mappa’ by Alighiero Boetti – which is a museum quality piece from the series which both predicted and depicted this trend.”