Before and After

(After) Andy Warhol (1928 – 1987, American) “Before and After I” (1961) – This is a reproduction of the 68 x 54-inch casein painting on canvas that was first exhibited in a window display Warhol designed for the Fifth Avenue department store, Bonwit Teller, in April 1961 and is currently owned by the Metropolitan Museum in New York. This piece is signed ‘Andy Warhol’ in blue ink in the upper right margin. The image itself measures approximately 8 x 6.25 inches, and it has been elaborately matted and encased in an ornate gold toned frame measuring 29.5 x 28.25 inches. (Note: There are some scratches in the plexiglass.)

Warhol created a series of four ‘Before and After’ paintings in 1961 – 1962. It is based on an advertisement by a plastic surgeon for nose-jobs that regularly appeared in the National Enquirer tabloid. Warhol enlarged the image, added drips and artisanal dots to emulate the appearance of newsprint, and thus began his Pop Art career. The original was one of five of the artist’s early paintings that were installed in the window of Bonwit Teller in New York where Warhol had been working designing and producing fashion displays.