There are many exceptional buys in the Warhol market at present. The “society portraits” are one area where the prices have come down to where you can find very good prices. The value of these, however, relied heavily on the strength of image of the sitter. Some portraits are more compelling than others in terms of the person depicted, the colorway and the overall feel of the work (they are all the same same size). This particular example is very dynamic with a blue background similar to that of the blue Jackie’s from the 60s, yet amped up a bit for the 80s. The surface of covered in diamond dust which also adds to its feel. The sitter is “unknown” which is actually a plus because some buyers don’t really care for a random person or someone’s auntie in their wall.

Here with the identity of the woman a mystery, the work is free to create it’s own narrative in the mind of the viewer.

A lot of younger buyers have at times thought of Warhol as an older generations artist but this example has a bit of a cool vintage feel with a style that could easily be found in Brooklyn or Silverlake. It connects to our time at this moment, creating a kind of visual bridge. Warhol in spite of having a dip in some market segments is still one the the best and largest markets in the world. Finding the opportunities is the key. Because this painting checks all the boxes, it is my Buy of the Week.

Andy Warhol
Unidentified Woman
circa 1980
synthetic polymer paint, silkscreen ink and diamond dust on canvas

BUY OF THE WEEK #2

ACQUIRING Basquiat’s “Arteries of the Left Arm”, at sotheby’s

FRIDA KAHLo’S SELF-PORTRAIT: THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINTING.