Ed. 39/100 (editioned aside from 25 artist's proofs, 5 printer's proofs, and 10 hors commerce)

Andy Warhol (1928-1987) Letter to the World (The Kick), from Martha Graham, 1986 Screenprint in colors on Lenox Museum Board 36 x 36 inches (91.4 x 91.4 cm) (sheet) Ed. 39/100 (editioned aside from 25 artist's proofs, 5 printer's proofs, and 10 hors commerce) Signed and editioned in pencil, verso lower right; printer's chop mark, lower right Published by Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance, Inc., New York Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York LITERATURE: Feldman & Schellmann, II.389. Martha Graham, renowned for her revolutionary techniques and emotive performances, reshaped modern dance by introducing movements that expressed the complexity of human emotions and the depth of narrative storytelling. Her profound exploration of the human condition left an enduring mark on the performing arts world. Captivated by Graham's iconic status and transformative contributions, Warhol paid homage to her through a series that captured her essence and showcased his ability to distill the character and spirit of influential cultural figures into his art. This trio of screenprints, created to benefit Graham's planned school of dance in Florence, Italy, includes a reimagination of one of the most well-recognized photographs of Graham from her final solo in Letter to the World, a work inspired by the poetry and life of Emily Dickinson. Appropriately titled The Kick, the photograph captured by Barbara Morgan features Graham in a dramatic back-kick with her torso extended horizontally and her wrist pressed to her forehead. This photograph, emblematic of Graham's style, became an ideal candidate for Warhol's screenprints, celebrating the legacy of two pioneers who pushed the boundaries of their mediums. Through his Martha Graham series, Warhol underscores mutual respect between visual art and dance and celebrates the lasting legacy of a woman who, like himself, continually transcended her time. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Mild dents with losses on extreme edges of sheet. Some extremely small, minor accretions primarily evident in left black-inked areas. Extremely minor buckling to sheet, primarily evident along upper edge with some light dents around hinges. A few mild marks on verso, do not appear to impact recto image. Ink stamp, verso lower left and verso upper left. Hinged along upper edge, float mounted and framed under acrylic. Framed dimensions 43-1/4 x 43-1/4 inches.