Andy Warhol: The Complete Commissioned Posters, 1964-1987 by Paul Marechal
folio. pp.160. profusely illustrated. hardcover. Munich: Prestel, [2014].
New.
ISBN-10: 3791349716 / ISBN-13: 9783791349718
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Published for the first time in a single volume, this definitive collection of original posters produced by Andy Warhol reveals the artist’s remarkable contribution to the art of poster design. Throughout his career, Andy Warhol easily crossed the boundaries between fine art and graphic design; in fact, he made no distinction between art and advertising. Posters were a natural medium for this talented artist, and he was much in demand to promote some of the most renowned celebrities, causes, and brands of his time. This richly illustrated catalogue raisonné surveys every Warhol poster commissioned for a specific purpose and featuring original artwork. Arranged chronologically, they present a fascinating array of subjects, including cultural events, musicians, politics, and iconic brands. Each of the posters is exquisitely reproduced, including some with multiple variations, and accompanied by informative texts and comparative illustrations. The author’s introductory essay offers a brief history of poster art and contextualizes Warhol’s output against masters of the form such as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Keith Haring. Seen in their entirety, these posters—bearing all the hallmarks of the artist’s finest work—both reflect and reveal the cultural zeitgeist that drove Warhol’s innovative practice.