Andy Warhol (American, 1928–1987)
Mickey Mouse (FS II.265) (1981)
Screenprint in colors with diamond dust on Lenox Museum Board
38 × 38 inches (96.5 × 96.5 cm)
Signed in pencil and numbered from the edition of 200 (there were also 30 artist’s proofs, 5 printer’s proofs, and 5 exhibition proofs), published by Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, Inc., New York, with the publisher’s copyright stamp on the verso; blindstamp lower right.
Provenance
Halcyon Gallery, London
Private Collection, United Kingdom
Created in 1981 as part of Andy Warhol’s celebrated Myths portfolio—his final major print series—Mickey Mouse stands as one of the most iconic and enduring images from the artist’s late career. In this body of work, Warhol turns his attention to universally recognized figures drawn from popular culture and folklore, collapsing the boundaries between fine art and mass media with characteristic clarity and immediacy. Few images embody this approach more powerfully than Mickey Mouse, a figure synonymous with global culture and collective memory.
Rendered in bold, graphic lines and set against a richly textured black ground infused with diamond dust, the composition carries both visual impact and material presence. The diamond dust—one of Warhol’s signature embellishments in his later works—introduces a subtle shimmer that activates the surface, lending the work a sense of glamour and depth that shifts with the light. At a substantial 38 inches square, the scale further elevates the piece, allowing it to command space more like a painting than a traditional print.
Mickey Mouse is widely regarded as the anchor image of the Myths portfolio and remains among the most sought-after prints in Warhol’s oeuvre. Its instant recognizability, strong decorative presence, and consistent demand across global markets have made it a cornerstone work for collectors seeking a definitive example of Pop Art at its most accessible and enduring.
