Extraordinary limited edition screenprint by Warhol on 100 polystyrene boxes in ten colors, entitled ‘Portraits of the Artists,’ 20 x 20, numbered 58/200, published in 1967 by Tanglewood Press, Inc., New York, incised with Warhol’s initials on the side of the box in the lower right corner, “AW.” Housed in its original frame. In fine condition, with a tiny crack to the back lower right hand corner of the outer plexiglass covering, affecting nothing and not noticeable when viewing the item from the front. This piece was produced in an overall edition of 225, with 200 numbered examples plus 25 lettered proofs. Warhol created the work for the portfolio 'Ten from Leo Castelli,' issued in conjunction with an exhibition at Castelli’s Upper East Side gallery to commemorate its 10th anniversary. Aptly named, the subjects depicted in ‘Portraits of the Artists’ were all contributors to the Castelli show, including Robert Morris, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Larry Poons, James Rosenquist, Frank Stella, Lee Bontecou, Donald Judd, Robert Rauschenberg, and Warhol himself. Most interestingly, the boxes are modular and the artwork was released in a variety of orientations, with vertical or horizontal color bands, and the artists placed in differing orders. Additionally, the frame can be opened and the boxes rearranged according to the collector’s or gallerist’s preference—accordingly, today these ‘Portraits of the Artists’ appear in a vast array of variations. The original owner of this piece ran a Wisconsin gallery during the 1960s and passed it on to her son when the gallery closed its doors; it has remained in the family since that time. An exceptional piece embodying the essence of Warhol’s art and innovation.
