The Making of Andy Warhol’s Myth’s

While this portfolio has the same look and feel of much of Andy Warhol’s work it’s production and impact are far from “the same” as Andy’s other projects.

It is not known definitively why Andy Warhol did this series. At the time much of his work was coming from commissions. Not so with this series. Most of Warhol’s work was quick and to the point. The source material for his Jagger series was produced in one day. Not so with myths.

Producing Myth’s was an elaborate process and spoke to a deeper vision than Andy Warhol was simply not known for. Most notably Andy had a number of actors and actresses come to the Factory to “pose” as various Myths.

Margret Hamilton posed as The Witch – Unbeknownst to many this is the actress who played the witch in Wizard of Oz. Source.

An actor whose name has been lost to history posed as “Uncle Sam”

Sean McKeon was an Andy Warhol superstar of the 80’s a go to pretty boy that appeared in many photography suites as well as Dracula for the Myths series. The smaller black and white image is courtesy of the Catalogue Raisonne.

Andy got his hands on a collectible Howdy Doody doll for the Howdy Doody image:

As a final flourish and one more sign there is something special about this series even to Andy Warhol. Some of the screen prints were embellished with Diamond dust.

Andy Warhol’s Myths Portfolio – Enduring Impact

Much of Andy Warhol’s work is still hotly debated in terms of meaning and relevance. At the time he produced many of his pieces much of the world stood back and tried to figure what he was saying.

Again – Not so with Myths. The series is oftentimes on tour at children’s museums. The icons Andy Warhol chose are so significant and the meaning to each of us so clear the series has impact on almost anyone that views it. That is as true today as it was in 1981when he released the portfolio.

Collectors Details | Andy Warhol’s Myth Portfolio

PUBLISHER: Ronald Feldman Fine Arts Inc. New York, New York.

Medium – Screen Print On Lenox Museum Board

Year – 1981

SIZE – 38×38

Production Quantity and Type: Edition of 200. 30 artists proofs (AP) 5 printer proofs(PP), And 5 Exhibition proofs (EP) There are also a number of HC or (not for sale) editions of some of the single images and 30 signed and numbered trial proofs. (Except for Dracula and the Shadow)

RELATED PRODUCTION DETAILS: There are separate editions of The Shadow and a Double Micky Mouse. Both have source material in the Myth series. The separate edition of The Shadow was published in an edition of 32 signed and numbered unique prints. The Double Mickey Mouse was published in an edition of 25 signed and numbered unique prints.