Two abstract illustrations of fish by Andy Warhol (American; 1928-1987). Included is red gouache on paper painting and a black ink on paper drawing mounted to cardboard. Unsigned.
These illustrations were completed by Andy Warhol in 1953 or 1954 at the request of Gloria Griffin, Associate Art Editor of Good Housekeeping magazine for a planned fish cookbook that was to be published by the magazine. A copy of a letter written by Ms. Griffin in 2005 detailing her meeting with Warhol and what she requested from him is included.
Measurements: 8.75" W x 5" H (gouache); 9" W x 2.5" H (cardboard).
Provenance: From the estate of John & Gloria Griffin.
John & Gloria Griffin were both creative art directors/editors in New York city in the 1950s and 1960s. The couple moved to New York in 1949 and lived there until 1967. During that time they collected paintings and original illustrations of artists that they worked with professionally.
Gloria (McVeigh) Griffin (1925-2011) taught fashion illustration and served as Art Editor for Good Housekeeping Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in the 1950s-60s. After moving to Minneapolis in 1967, she was a founding member of the Minnesota Women's Consortium. In 1953, Griffin was introduced to Andy Warhol, who submitted to her a portfolio of his work to become an illustrator for Good Housekeeping. She asked Warhol to create a number of fish drawings and paintings as illustrations for the Good Housekeeping’s Fish and Shellfish cookbook. Ultimately, Warhol’s illustrations were not chosen for publication, and the illustrations entered Gloria’s collection.
John Griffin (1918-2018) served as Art Director for several prominent advertising agencies. He started his career with Kenyon & Echkardt in New York. After returning from active military duty in 1952, Griffin began work for the Alfred Auerbach Associates where he met Andy Warhol, who illustrated many of the Auerbach Associates advertisements. Griffin eventually became an Art Director for McCann-Erickson where he worked for the remainder of his career in New York and designed Coca-Cola advertisements among other accounts. In 1967, Griffin moved to Minneapolis to become the Creative Director of BBDO. He ended his career as the Advertising Director for General Mills.
Gouache - discoloration to paper, smudges to paper. Sticker attached verso.
Ink - wear to paper including worn areas. Toning to paper. Mounted to cardboard painted white. Sticker attached to cardboard verso.
All lots have imperfections or the effects of aging. Sheafer + King Modern shall have no responsibility for any errors or omissions.
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From the estate of John & Gloria Griffin.
John & Gloria Griffin were both creative art directors/editors in New York city in the 1950s and 1960s. The couple moved to New York in 1949 and lived there until 1967. During that time they collected paintings and original illustrations of artists that they worked with professionally.
Gloria (McVeigh) Griffin (1925-2011) taught fashion illustration and served as Art Editor for Good Housekeeping Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar Magazine in the 1950s-60s. After moving to Minneapolis in 1967, she was a founding member of the Minnesota Women's Consortium. In 1953, Griffin was introduced to Andy Warhol, who submitted to her a portfolio of his work to become an illustrator for Good Housekeeping. She asked Warhol to create a number of fish drawings and paintings as illustrations for the Good Housekeeping’s Fish and Shellfish cookbook. Ultimately, Warhol’s illustrations were not chosen for publication, and the illustrations entered Gloria’s collection.
John Griffin (1918-2018) served as Art Director for several prominent advertising agencies. He started his career with Kenyon & Echkardt in New York. After returning from active military duty in 1952, Griffin began work for the Alfred Auerbach Associates where he met Andy Warhol, who illustrated many of the Auerbach Associates advertisements. Griffin eventually became an Art Director for McCann-Erickson where he worked for the remainder of his career in New York and designed Coca-Cola advertisements among other accounts. In 1967, Griffin moved to Minneapolis to become the Creative Director of BBDO. He ended his career as the Advertising Director for General Mills.
