Andy Warhol’s iconic Elizabeth Taylor portrait titled ‘Silver Liz’ is heading to the auction block with a high estimate of $11.6 million.
Despite the artist’s fixation with the superstar, it is one of only two paintings in which he highlights her extraordinary violet eyes – a result of a rare generic condition.
Produced in 1963, it was executed at time when his pre-eminent cultural status was affirmed and her star was approaching its zenith, having just starred in Cleopatra and been crowned the world’s first million dollar actress.
A statement from Christie’s (who are selling the painting) reads: “It combines his obsession with celebrity with an early example of his silkscreen process, producing an image which shimmers with Taylor’s renowned beauty and also encapsulates some of his early ideas about the artificiality of fame.”
To be sold in London on June 30, the painting was created with synthetic polymer paint, silkscreen inks and spray enamel on linen.
(Source: cbc)