ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)

In the 1950s, Andy Warhol explored basic printmaking for his self-published portfolios, books, and commercial illustrations. He reproduced his blotted-line ink drawings as offset lithographs, usually in one color and on white paper, sometimes with hand-colored elements. Warhol’s work in the 1950s was heavily influenced by Julia Warhola’s illustrative style and content. Inspired by his mother's love of cats, Warhol produced 25 Cats Name[d] Sam. His mother did the lettering, and Warhol's friends and studio assistants attended "coloring parties" to paint in the cats with brightly-colored watercolor dyes.

The cats are rendered carefully, with focus on form and color. 25 Cats Name[d] Sam reflects Warhol's deeply personal connection with his mother. After having moved in with him in New York to help him as an artist and she later released a sort of sequel to 25 Cats Name[d] Sam in 1957, Holy Cats.

This copy is numbered 8 of 190 and dedicated to Bradbury Thompson, art director of Mademoiselle magazine, who had commissioned Warhol to do fashion illustration during this time.