Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Beethoven (Complete Portfolio), 1987
There are moments in an artist’s career when the subject shifts—and with it, the meaning of the work deepens. Beethoven, created in 1987 during the final year of Andy Warhol’s life, is one such moment.
Rather than turning to the familiar faces of Hollywood or contemporary fame, Warhol reaches back into history, selecting Ludwig van Beethoven—a figure whose influence transcends time—and recasting him as a modern icon. In doing so, Warhol draws a direct line between the cultural celebrities of the 20th century and the enduring genius of the past.
Each of the four works in this complete portfolio is based on a 19th-century portrait of Beethoven, transformed through Warhol’s unmistakable visual language. Bold, saturated color fields collide with expressive passages of handwritten musical notation, which sweep across the composition like gestures of sound made visible. The effect is both structured and spontaneous—part portrait, part performance—where the act of composition becomes inseparable from the image itself.
At approximately 40 × 40 inches (101.6 × 101.6 cm) each, the works carry a commanding physical presence. Installed together, the suite unfolds as a rhythmic sequence—variations on a single theme—echoing both Warhol’s exploration of repetition and Beethoven’s own mastery of musical form.
What makes this portfolio particularly compelling is its position within Warhol’s late oeuvre. It reflects a thoughtful shift toward legacy, authorship, and the nature of cultural immortality. Beethoven is not simply depicted—he is reintroduced, recontextualized, and ultimately elevated within the visual lexicon of Pop Art.
Complete matching portfolios of Beethoven have become increasingly scarce, as many examples have been separated over time. The opportunity to acquire a full suite, preserved as intended, offers both aesthetic and historical significance.
Details
Medium: Screenprints in colors on Lenox Museum Board
Number of works: Set of four
Sheet size (each): 40 × 40 in (101.6 × 101.6 cm)
Year: 1987
Edition: From the edition of 300 (plus 30 artist proofs)
Publisher: Feldman Fine Arts, New York
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith, New York
Catalogue Raisonné: Feldman & Schellmann II.390–393
Availability
A complete matching portfolio in excellent overall condition.
For pricing, condition reports, and additional images, please contact: reed@robinrile.com
