Andy Warhol - Marx Brothers promotional card - Hand Signed by the artist

Andy Warhol Marx Brothers promotional card - Hand Signed by the artist

Offset lithograph promotional card
Hand signed in black marker on the front
Provenance: Estate of artist Joseph O'Sickey
This elegantly scaled promotional card, which is, exceptionally, hand signed by Warhol, was created to promote Andy Warhol's print of the Marx Brothers from the “Ten Portraits of Jews” portfolio. Created in 1980, this print features the legendary comedic trio—Groucho, Harpo, and Chico Marx—rendered in Warhol's signature Pop Art style.
In 1979, Warhol began working on the series – Ten Portraits of Jews of the 20th Century - which was suggested to him by art dealer Ronald Feldman. The subjects of the portraits were subsequently chosen by Feldman after consultation with the director of the art school of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington, Ruth Levine, and with the Center's gallery director, Susan Morgenstein. Feldman had originally been asked by an Israeli art dealer for a series of portraits of the legendary Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir – and the project evolved and expanded to include many other prominent Jews in the arts, politics, media culture and intellectual worlds - including the Marx Brothers. By including the comedic trio – The Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo and Zeppo) in this portfolio, Warhol acknowledged their status as cultural icons and highlighted their Jewish heritage as an integral aspect of their identity. Warhol nicknamed the entire series "Jewish geniuses"
Warhol's fascination with celebrity culture and the cult of fame found expression in his depictions of iconic figures like the Marx Brothers. Through his use of bold colors, graphic compositions, and repetition of imagery, Warhol captured the essence of the Marx Brothers' comedic genius and enduring popularity.
In the Jews portfolio, Warhol sought to celebrate and honor the contributions of Jewish individuals to various fields, including entertainment, science, and politics.

Unlike editioned prints, signed promotional materials occupy a unique and increasingly appreciated category within the artist's market. Warhol was known for his prolific and informal signing pratices, frequently autographing posters, invitations and ephemeral materials for friends, collaborators, members of his extended social circle - and of course his legions of fans. These objects are now understood as intimate points of contact with the artist's persona and process.
The present work carries distinguished provenance, originating from the estate of artist Joseph O'Sickey, a respected American painter and a contemporar and friend of Roy Lichtenstein.
This work has been framed with a raised floated mount in a museum quality white wood frame under UV plexiglass.
Measurements:
Framed:
12 inches (vertical) by 10.5 inches (horizontal ) by 2 inches (depth)
Card
7 inches (vertical) by 5.5 inches