Sunset, 1972; Serigraph on paper, numbered 77/470, signed Andy Warhol and dated 1977 in pencil verso; published by David Whitney, New York; Stamped in black verso "Hotel Marquette Prints"; Size - Sheet 34" x 34", Frame 44 1/2" x 44 1/2"; Framed with an acid free linen mat, a white high gloss wood frame, and UV conservation clear glass; Catalog Raisonne: Feldman/Schellmann: II.85-88.
"Fred [Hughes] got involved right away with both art and moviemaking - he arranged a commission for me from the de Menils to film a sunset for something to do with a bombed church in Texas that they were restoring. I filmed so many sunsets for that project.." - Andy Warhol
Nico was a German singer-songwriter, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress who became one of the Warhol Superstars of the 1960s. She was also known for her fantastic vocals as a singer and member of the Velvet Underground. In 1967, Andy Warhol was commissioned by the famed art collectors Dominique and John de Menil to make Sunset, a 33 minute film of a sunset. The sunset itself was filmed in California, and during the film Nico's deep voice can be heard off screen reciting a poem. At a couple of points in the film, an airplane appears flying through the sunset; and the whole effect is both beautiful and hypnotically mesmerizing. Sunset is similar to Warhol's earlier film works, such as Empire, in which a static camera is used to film an isolated event.
During the making of Sunset, Warhol shot several color reels of different sunsets and sunrises in East Hampton, San Francisco, and New York City; but none of them were satisfactory for that project. However, these film reels would serve as the basis for another project five years later. The architecture firm Johnson & Burgee commissioned Andy Warhol to decorate the landmark Hotel Marquette in Minneapolis. In 1972, Warhol created "Sunset," a color serigraph on paper. The edition consisted of 472 (numbered 1-470/470 plus two prints lettered HC; verso) prints that were used to decorated the guest rooms of the hotel. In addition, another 160 "Sunset" prints were assembled into 40 unique portfolios of four prints each, that Warhol exhibited and sold. What is truly amazing is that each of the 632 "Sunset" prints created is unique in it's color combination!
Close up of the edition number and the Andy Warhol signature.
Close up of the "Hotel Marquette Prints" stamp and the edition number.
In 1981, the Hotel Marquette underwent a renovation and the prints were removed from the hotel and returned to Warhol's studio. It is at this time that all of the 472 prints were signed and numbered by Warhol and back stamped "Hotel Marquette Prints," which differentiated them from the other 160 that were sold as portfolios. All the "Sunset" prints were originally published by David Whitney, New York and printed by Salvatore Silkscreen Co, New York. Catalogue Raisonne: Feldman & Schellmann II.85-88.
This particular color variant of "Sunset" is an absolutely stunning work with a pale teal sun, set against a powerful red sky and ground. The work is extremely powerful and dominates any space that it occupies; showcasing the great beauty of a both a sunset and a sunrise!
This particular color variant of "Sunset" is an absolutely stunning work with a pale teal sun, set against a powerful red sky and ground. The work is extremely powerful and dominates any space that it occupies; showcasing the great beauty of a both a sunset and a sunrise!
Framed image of Andy Warhol's "Sunset," 1972.
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