Andy Warhol’s nephew sells two of pop art master’s early paintings in New York – 11/15/2022 at 04:09

The nephew of Andy Warhol, custodian of the works of the world-famous artist of pop art and modern art, on Tuesday puts two youthful paintings up for sale in New York that had never been put on the market and which had even been lost over the years 70s.

A 1948 self-portrait “Nosepicker 1: Why Pick on Me” and “Living Room” from the same year — with notoriety without common measure with the emblematic works “Campbell’s Soup” or “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” — are auctioned Tuesday evening from the Phillips house in New York.

“Nosepicker 1” is estimated at $300,000 to $500,000 and “Living Room” at $250,000 to $450,000, reps for Phillips and Andy’s nephew James Warhola told AFP.

“These two paintings have been in the family for 70 years and we have cherished them for many years,” says Warhola, a 67-year-old American artist and illustrator, son of Andy Warhol’s (1928-1987) older brother.

– 20 years –

“There are seven children (heirs), my parents are deceased, unfortunately it’s time to sell them and share the profits” of these works of the expressionist current, “absolutely unique” to Warhol, says the nephew smiling.

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James Warhola, grandson of American artist Andy Warhol, in New York on Nov. 10, 2022. (AFP/TIMOTHY A. CLARY)

Warhol’s youthful self-portrait with his finger picking his nose – he was only 20 years old in 1948 – and the painting of his living room in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) have been exhibited several times around the world, but these works have been almost lost.

In his presentation, Phillips says the Warhola family had their car stolen in the late 1970s, with the two paintings stored in the vehicle.

“Fortunately for the family and art lovers around the world, the car has been found, with the works completely unharmed,” the auction house rejoices.

Tuesday evening we will be light years away from the astronomical figures achieved by Warhol’s works at auction. On Wednesday Sotheby’s is putting up for sale a monumental and emblematic work by the artist, “White Disaster [White Car Crash 19 Times]”, with an estimate of more than 80 million dollars.

Christie’s had sold on May 9 in New York a portrait of Marilyn Monroe, “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” (1964), for 195 million dollars, an auction record for a 20th-century work of art.

“With my six brothers and sisters, you can’t believe this work has so much value. I think my uncle Andy would be flattered (…) he, who as a father, was very very loving with his family”, Mr. Warhola breathes with a broad smile, who kept the “a” in the name of the family who emigrated from Eastern Europe to America at the beginning of the last century.