Mao, from the Mao portfolio

1972

American, 1928 - 1987

Mao Tse-Tung's portrait was visible in public and private spaces in China, during and following the Cultural Revolution (1966-1977), and it was a favorite subject for Warhol. This print -- made the same year as Nixon's historic visit to China -- is part of a portfolio in which Warhol turns the communist leader's totalitarian propaganda image into a pop icon. He counters Mao's crushing opposition to individualism by using different color combinations for each rendition of Mao's face.

Screenprint on Beckett High White paper

42 1/16 x 42 1/16 in. (106.8 x 106.8 cm)

Gift of the American Art Foundation

79.91

Provenance: Pace Gallery, New York City; Gift of the American Art Foundation, December 3, 1979

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Pop Departures. Oct. 9, 2014 - Jan. 11, 2015. Text by Catharina Manchanda, et al. No cat. no., p. 103, not reproduced.

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