Andy Warhol Original Vintage American Pop Art Acrylic Painting John Travolta Portrait Urban Cowboy
Original vintage American pop art acrylic painting by Andy Warhol (1928-1987). The subject is a portrait of John Travolta in the film Urban Cowboy. Andy Warhol was in attendance at the June 5th, 1980 premiere of the film in Houston, Texas, and documented the event in his diary. Warhol was joined by other celebrities, including Jerry Hall, an actress and former model for Warhol. The painting is a very striking acrylic on composite board portrait and is still set behind glass and a black mat, in the original vintage, early 1980s modern frame. The measurements of the painting (without the frame) are 9" X 11". The painting is in excellent original condition.
Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Andy Warhol was an American artist, filmmaker, and cultural icon who became a leading figure in the Pop Art movement. Known for his innovative approach to art, Warhol challenged traditional boundaries by blending commercialism and fine art, creating some of the most recognizable works of the 20th century.
Early Life and Education
Born as Andrew Warhola on August 6, 1928, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Warhol was the son of Slovak immigrants. His father was a coal miner, and his mother, Julia, was a skilled folk artist who encouraged his creativity from an early age. During his childhood, Warhol suffered from health issues, including St. Vitus’ dance, which left him bedridden for long periods. It was during this time that he developed a fascination for drawing and collecting pop culture imagery.
Warhol attended the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he studied commercial art. After graduating in 1949, he moved to New York City, where he began his career as a commercial illustrator for prestigious clients such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and The New Yorker.
The Rise of Pop Art
In the early 1960s, Warhol transitioned from commercial art to fine art, becoming a pioneer of Pop Art, a movement that drew inspiration from popular culture and mass media. He gained fame with his Campbell's Soup Cans (1962) series, which showcased everyday consumer goods as art. His use of bold, flat colors and repeated imagery reflected the era’s obsession with consumerism and celebrity culture.
Warhol’s studio, known as The Factory, became a hub of creativity and countercultural activity. It attracted a wide range of personalities, including artists, musicians, writers, and socialites. At The Factory, Warhol created iconic works, such as Marilyn Diptych, Elvis Presley, and his screenprints of Elizabeth Taylor, which explored themes of fame, mortality, and mass reproduction.
Film and Multimedia
Warhol expanded his creative pursuits into filmmaking, producing avant-garde films that pushed the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Some of his most famous films include Sleep (1963), Empire (1964), and Chelsea Girls (1966). These works, often provocative and experimental, reflected Warhol’s fascination with the mundane, voyeurism, and time.
In addition to films, Warhol was an influential figure in music. He managed and produced albums for the Velvet Underground, including their iconic debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), which featured his famous banana design on the cover.
Later Life and Legacy
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Warhol continued to explore themes of celebrity and wealth, creating portraits of figures such as Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Princess Diana. He also ventured into television with shows like Andy Warhol's TV and Andy Warhol's Fifteen Minutes, further solidifying his influence on contemporary culture.
On February 22, 1987, Warhol died unexpectedly at the age of 58 due to complications following gallbladder surgery. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy has only grown in the decades since.
Impact and Influence
Warhol’s work revolutionized the art world by blurring the lines between high and low culture, challenging perceptions of what art could be. He is often credited with democratizing art by making it accessible and relatable to the public, emphasizing that "everyone will be famous for 15 minutes."
Today, Warhol’s influence can be seen in countless areas of art, fashion, music, and media. His works are celebrated in major museums and collections worldwide, including the Andy Warhol Museum in his hometown of Pittsburgh, which is the largest museum in the world dedicated to a single artist.
Andy Warhol remains a cultural phenomenon whose art and ideas continue to inspire and provoke new generations of artists, thinkers, and creators.
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