Portrait of Marcel Proust by Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol
1928-1987 | American

Portrait of Proust

Screenprint on paper laid on canvas

Created by the legendary Pop artist Andy Warhol, Portrait of Marcel Proust occupies a unique position within the artist's extensive oeuvre. This singular screenprint on paper was produced in Warhol's printmaking studio and served as a preliminary study for an important project for art dealer Marie-Louise Jeanneret. Commissioned by a group of Italian collectors who were avid enthusiasts of Proust, Warhol utilized this work to create four paintings in acrylic and silkscreen ink on linen. These paintings were inspired by a renowned 1895 photograph of the French novelist, taken by Otto Wegener. In a departure from the original black-and-white tones of the photograph, Warhol employed this vivid orange-yellow ink, thus continuing his exploration of reinvigorating iconic historical images and elements of pop culture.

This particular portrait of Proust reveals stylistic and thematic parallels with Warhol's paintings of his mother from the same year. Though the portrait of his mother is rendered in a cool blue and violet-toned pallet, both works showcase extensive finger painting. This symbolism points to Warhol's intellectual and emotional connection between his own mother and Proust's relationship with his own mother, affectionately referred to as "Maman" throughout his writing. 

Marcel Proust, the distinguished French novelist, literary critic, and essayist, achieved renowned for his monumental 1908 seven-volume novel In Search of Lost Time. The literary masterpiece delved into the intricacies of memory, time and the profound complexity of the human experience. Proust's literary genius revolutionized the landscape of literature, leaving an enduring impact on the Parisian cultural scene at the turn of the century. About 50 years later, Andy Warhol emerged as a visionary artist who challenged artistic conventions, exploring themes that resonated with Proust's own ideas. Warhol, a trailblazer in his own right, delved into philosophical reflections on consumerism, mass production and the nature of fame. His artistic endeavors mirrored Proust's explorations, albeit through a contemporary lens, as he sought to redefine the boundaries of art and popular culture.

One of the most iconic artists in history, Warhol was known for making art his “brand” and raising questions about originality and reproduction, as well as the nature of celebrity, persona and outward image. Born Andrej Varhola, Jr. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928, Warhol first made a name for himself as a commercial artist, quickly becoming one of the most successful illustrators of his time. He won numerous awards for his work from the Art Directors Club and the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and his clients included Tiffany & Co., the New York Times, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and others. It was in the late 1950s that he focused more of his attention on his painting.

The artist's 1962 series of Campbell's soup cans created a sensation in the art world and launched him into the realm of celebrity. His iconic studio, painted silver and known as the Factory, became the place to be in New York. Surrounding himself with an ever-rotating group of hipsters and starlets like The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground and Edie Sedgwick, he also extended his talents into other fields such as film, publishing, writing, television and music. Except for a brief period in the mid-1960s, he would continue to paint until the end of his life. He was a mentor and inspiration to such artists as Jean-Michel Basquiat, and by the time of his death, he was one of the most prolific and well-known artists the world had ever seen. Portrait of Marcel Proust serves as a rare window into Warhol’s later profound autobiographical works. 

Circa 1974

Screenprint: 50 1/2" high x 38 1/2" wide
Frame: 53 3/8" high x 41 1/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep

Studio of the Artist
Dennis Hopper, Los Angeles
Pacific Fine Art, Los Angeles
Black Arc Inc, Los Angeles