Andy WARHOL - Alexander The Great (FS II.292)

ALEXANDER THE GREAT 292
Alexander the Great 292 is based on a Hellenistic bronze bust in a private Swiss collection. By the 1980s Warhol was appropriating themes from across art historical periods for use in his pop pantheon, from Nineteenth-Century European paintings to iconic Italian Renaissance portraits. Alexander the Great is Warhol’s only series with classical sculpture as its subject. It deviates greatly from Warhol’s revolutionary style of work, which is celebrated for its originality and how it breaks from tradition. The images of Alexander the Great pay tribute to influences of the masters of classical antiquity, that are not readily apparent in Warhol’s work.

ALEXANDER THE GREAT 292 AS PART OF ANDY WARHOL’S LARGER BODY OF WORK
During the early 80’s Warhol created his first prints that were inspired Masterpieces from art history. Among the works he created were: “Details of Renaissance Paintings”, “Saint Apollonia”, and the “After Munch” series. The “Alexander the Great” series were the only works he made based on classical art. They were also the only works he made based on a sculptural source, not a painting.