One work, two global icons: Andy Warhol and Princess Diana. On March 7, Phillips is offering Warhol's Portrait of Princess Diana for sale in London as part of the 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale with an estimate of £1.2-1.8 million (about $1.5-2.2 million)
In this portrait, Princess Diana presents herself to the viewer with an openness and warmth that would later earn her the title of People's Princess. As with his well-known depictions of Marilyn Monroe, Warhol captures the essence of his subject here, creating an iconic and timeless image.
Related: Princess Diana's 7 Most Expensive Outfits Sold at Auction
Want to receive more articles like this via email? Sign up to our free newsletter!
The engagement between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981 aroused widespread interest from the public and the media. The British were soon won over by this beautiful young woman with her soft voice and radiant smile. Her growing popularity was evident already during her courtship, presented as a fairy tale by the media before the wedding, which was watched by over 750 million viewers worldwide. The official engagement portrait was taken by Lord Snowdon, the well-known British photographer and husband of Princess Margaret, and the image became emblematic in the collective imagination. In his artistic interpretation, Warhol drastically cropped the image, eliminating Charles and focusing attention on Diana's enigmatic expression and magnetic charm. This work on offer is one of only four Warhol Princess Diana portraits in this format and the only portrait in blue.
Portrait of Princess Diana links to the later Reigning Queens, a series of silk-screen portraits created by Warhol in 1985, which included depictions of Queen Elizabeth II, alongside other female sovereigns of the time. Each of the protagonists of Reigning Queens was portrayed in bright, contrasting colors, and the entire series reflects Warhol's ability to reinterpret royal iconography through his unique artistic lens.
Related: Andy Warhol: The Pope of Pop
Warhol's passion for pop art is evident in Portrait of Princess Diana, with the vibrant lines added to her hair and the energetic use of blue. Warhol's work represents an everlasting tribute to a 20th century icon who, many years after her tragic death, continues to inspire.
