is arguably the most important American artist of the 20th century. In the 1950s, he was an in-demand and celebrated illustrator working for New York's toniest publications (like Harper's Bazaar) and elegant shops (such as Bonwit Teller) in addition to many smaller independent fashion companies.
Throughout the decade, Warhol received numerous awards and accolades for his illustrations - yet he found it difficult to surpass the designation of “commercial artist”. As an aspiring artist and as a commercial illustrator there were a number of motifs or elements that made frequent appearances in his work including his mother's famous hand-writing as well as hearts, butterflies, stars and angels.
"In the Bottom of My Garden" is a delightful paradigm from this era. It showed how Warhol tried to bridge the commercial and fine art realms through self-promotion. Throughout the 1950s Warhol would self-publish hand-made books composed of lithographs. These were given to both past and potential clients or important players in the New York cultural scene.
"In the Bottom of My Garden" is one of Warhol's earliest and best-known hand-made books. It is made up of an ethereal wonderland of fairies, cherubs, and abundant florals. These stylized chubby angels are both elegant as they get into scenes of fey mischief.
Images such as these provide both a glimpse into Warhol's vast imagination and a striking look at his commercial background. It is also a reminder of how queer-coded his universe was in the 1950s. His dedication to figuration (during the era of abstract expressionism) was just as radical as his continuous use of gay references and double-entendres.
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"Untitled" (aka "Putti Duo") from "In the Bottom of My Garden”
USA, 1956
Offset lithograph on paper
Stamped on verso by the Estate of Andy Warhol and the Andy Warhol Art Authentication Board, Inc. and numbered PM 12.0767
8.5"H 11"W (work)
13.5"H 15.5"W (framed)
Framed with museum glass.
Very good condition.
