LOT 050

1928 - 1987
American

Karen Kain (F.S.IIB.236)
screenprint with diamond dust on Lenox Museum board, 1980
signed and editioned TP 7/25
40 x 32 in, 101.6 x 81.3 cm

Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD

Sold for: $115,250

Preview at: Heffel Toronto – 13 Hazelton Ave

PROVENANCE
Private Collection, Toronto
Sold sale of Heffel Fine Art Auction House,

LITERATURE
Frayda Feldman and Jörg Schellman, editors, Andy Warhol Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné 1962 - 1987, 2003, this work reproduced page 181, catalogue #IIB.236


William Hechter, a Canadian art and film enthusiast among many other things, was the publisher, along with Andy Warhol, of this iconic portrait of prima ballerina Karen Kain. Hechter was keen to work with Warhol and was compelled to present the idea of a Canadian subject—a first for the artist. Crediting his wife with the proposal of Kain, he explained that convincing the artist was as simple as picking up the phone and dialing Warhol’s number at the Factory. “He said he’d love to do it,” explained Hechter, “and then I thought I’d better call Karen and ask her!” Warhol spoke of a recent party where he danced with Kain, and he thought the idea was terrific. The rest is history—Hechter and Kain flew to New York to meet Warhol in his studio, where he photographed her with very little lighting, using his legendary Polaroid camera. Once the final image was chosen, Warhol and Hechter together published a series of 200 screen prints. This work is a rare test proof, with different colours, and is reproduced in the catalogue raisonné, making it particularly important.

The catalogue raisonné states that there are 25 TP signed and numbered in pencil at lower right. Each print is unique. Karen Kain was published in an edition of 200, 30 AP, 5 PP, and 25 TP by William Hechter, Toronto, and printed in New York by Rupert Jasen Smith.


Estimate: $30,000 - $40,000 CAD

All prices are in Canadian Dollars


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