Photography by Andy Warhol to Be Auctioned Off to Raise Funds for Artists

Joyce Chen
·2 min read

Andy Warhol may be best known for his pop-infused, larger-than-life depictions of everyday objects, but the multifaceted artist also enjoyed quieter forms of creativity. And starting April 28, the Andy Warhol Foundation and Christie’s are partnering up to auction off 60 of the icon’s Polaroid photos, many of which depict the natural world through his lens.

“The 60 unique photographic works were each chosen for their ability to transport the viewer to better days, conveying the splendor of being outdoors and the simple pleasures associated with human interaction,” reads a post shared on the Andy Warhol Foundation’s Instagram account to announce the project. Images will include snapshots taken of rolling waves, a portrait taken with art curator Henry Geldzahler, and even close-up photos of Warhol’s beloved dachshunds Amos and Archie.

This Polaroid of the ocean is expected to fetch up to $3,500.
This Polaroid of the ocean is expected to fetch up to $3,500.
Courtesy of Christie's

Michael Dayton Hermann of the Warhol Foundation said in a statement that the auction’s timing is particularly important because it reminds people that “you need to let the little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you.”

Andy Warhol (right)with his close friend, art curator Henry Geldzahler.
Andy Warhol (right)with his close friend, art curator Henry Geldzahler.
Courtesy of Christie's
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Proceeds from the sale will go toward an emergency relief fund for artists who have been hard hit by the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The photographs are expected to draw bids in the tens of thousands, and the project is linked to the hashtag #BetterDays. A self-portrait of Warhol half-hidden in the shadows is estimated to sell for between $15,000 to $20,000. “This unique sale focuses on works which celebrate Warhol’s uncanny ability to draw attention to the inspiring artistry of ordinary life,” Hermann added. Bidding will begin on April 28 and go through May 6.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest