Andy Warhol

“The Summer Dancers”

1955

© 2017 The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc. / Artists Right Society (ARS), New York and DACS, London

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Artist: Andy Warhol 1928–1987
Medium: Ink and dye on paper
Dimensions: Support: 215 x 145 mm
frame: 525 x 393 x 38 mm
Collection: Tate / National Galleries of Scotland
Acquisition: ARTIST ROOMS Acquired jointly with the National Galleries of Scotland through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008
Reference: AR00263

Not on display

Online caption

Throughout his career Warhol created numerous artist books. However, he also designed book covers for other authors. This work is for the novel ‘The Summer Dancers’ by Clyde Miller. Throughout the 1950s cupids, fairies and angels were a recurring motif in Warhol’s work. The style is also typical of the time, with his blotted-line technique combined with vibrant colours. The calligraphy was almost certainly completed by Warhol’s mother, Julia, who moved to New York in 1952 and lived with her son until 1971. Whilst there she regularly assisted with his illustrations, adding colour and calligraphy, and even signing his name.