In 1979, Andy Warhol created a series of prints which showcased repeated imagery of grapes. Unknown to many, each of the prints also shows a different grape variety, although they are uniformly referred to as “Grapes”. With this series, Warhol brings a new approach to the traditional genre of still life. In the past, artists strove to be as realistic as possible in still life portraits. However, Warhol deliberately rejoices in the modern perspective and creates still-life portraits which tend towards abstraction. This attention on still-life also draws upon Warhol’s past experience as a draughtsman. A separate edition with diamond dust was also created. This special edition was the first set of prints which Warhol embellished with diamond dust. He later popularized this method in the 1980’s.

Introduction

Both the regular and the special edition series include six screen-prints. In each screen-print, the grapes are colored with Warhol’s signature blocks of color with strong contrast. Dark, bold lines also contour the form of the grapes. The imagery of grapes immediately evoke a connection to wine and celebration. Interestingly, this series was produced shortly after Warhol created a label for Mouton Rothschild in 1975. Château Mouton Rothschild is a wine estate located in France, and its wine is regarded as one of the world’s greatest. Each year, the winery invited a famous artist to design its label, creating what is now a significant part of the Mouton brand. Coincidentally, the label created by Warhol shares the same color scheme as the Grapes series.

Grapes, 1979

Grapes

The complete set of six screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Strathmore Bristol paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40×30 inches (101.6 x 76.4 cm)
Edition: 50
Artist’s Proofs: 10 AP
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith
Publisher: Andy Warhol Enterprises, Inc.
Literature: Feldman & Schellmann II.190-195

Each signed and numbered in felt-tip pen with the blindstamp of the printer

Grapes (Special Edition)

The complete set of six screenprints in colors
Medium: Screenprint in colors on Strathmore Bristol paper
Year: 1979
Sheet: 40×30 inches (101.6 x 76.4 cm)
Edition: 10
Other: 1 PP (Printer’s Proof)
Printer: Rupert Jasen Smith
Publisher: Andy Warhol Enterprises, Inc.
Literature: Feldman & Schellmann II.190A-195A

Each signed and numbered in felt-tip pen with the blindstamp of the printer
SE is marked before each number
Each print is unique

1. Grapes I (F&S II.190)

2. Grapes II (F&S II.191)

3. Grapes Plate (F&S II.192)

4. Grapes (F&S II.193)

5. Grapes (F&S II.194)

6. Grapes (F&S II.195)

2025 Auction Results

Grapes (F&S II.193), 1979

Hill Auction Gallery: 15 October 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 20,000
USD 17,000 (Hammer)
USD 21,590

ANDY WARHOL (American, 1928-1987)
Grapes (Feldman/Schellmann II.193), 1979
Color silkscreen on Strathmore Bristol paper
Signed by the artist in ink at the lower left and numbered 15 of 50

Grapes (F&S II.191), 1979

Phillips Hong-Kong: 28 March 2025
Estimated: HKD 120,000 – 180,000
HKD 203,200 / USD 26,132
TRIAL PROOF

Nagel Auktionen Stuttgart: 5 February 2025
Estimated: EUR 8,000 – 12,000
EUR 33,000 (Hammer)
EUR 43,725 / USD 45,545

ANDY WARHOL (Pittsburgh, 1928 – New York, 1987)
“Grapes” (Feldman/Schellmann, II. 191), 1979
from the series of the same name
Color silkscreen on Strathmore Bristol board
Signed and numbered 30/50 in fibre pen lower left
Publisher: Andy Warhol Enterprises, Inc., New York.

2024 Auction Results

Grapes DD (see F&S 191A), 1979

Phillips New-York: 16 April 2024
Estimated: USD 15,000 – 25,000
USD 44,450

Grapes (F&S II.190-195), 1979

Christie’s online: 27 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 180,000 – 250,000
GBP 277,200 / USD 351,131
COMPLETE SET

ANDY WARHOL (1928-1987)
Grapes, 1979
The complete set of six screenprints in colors on Strathmore Bristol paper
Each signed in felt-tip pen, inscribed and numbered A.P. 9/10
An artist’s proof set aside from the edition of fifty

Grapes SE (F&S II.190A-195A), 1979

Sotheby’s online: 20 March 2024
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 25,400 / USD 32,258

ANDY WARHOL (1928 – 1987)
Grapes, 1979
Unique screenprint in colors on Strathmore Bristol paper
Signed in felt-tip pen, inscribed and numbered S.E. 5/10
This impression is number five from the special edition of ten plus one printer’s proof

2023 Auction Results

Grapes (F&S II.190-195), 1979

Phillips New-York: 26 October 2023
Estimated: USD 200,000 – 300,000
USD 304,800
COMPLETE SET

Grapes DD (see F&S 193A), 1979

Mallet Japan: 5 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 6,000,000
JPY 5,000,000 (Hammer)
JPY 5,825,000 / USD 39,135

Grapes DD (see F&S 191A), 1979

Mallet Japan: 5 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 6,000,000
JPY 5,800,000 (Hammer)
JPY 6,757,000 / USD 45,395

Grapes DD (see F&S 195A), 1979

Mallet Japan: 5 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 6,000,000
JPY 6,000,000 (Hammer)
JPY 6,990,000 / USD 46,960

Grapes DD (see F&S 192A), 1979

Mallet Japan: 5 October 2023
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 6,000,000
JPY 5,200,000 (Hammer)
JPY 6,058,000 / USD 40,700

Grapes (F&S 190), 1979

Mainichi Auction: 29 April 2023
Estimated: JPY 1,000,000 – 1,500,000
JPY 2,530,000 / USD 18,570

2022 Auction Results

Grapes (F&S II.190-195), 1979

Sotheby’s New-York: 27 October 2022
Estimated: USD 200,000 – 300,000
USD 277,200
COMPLETE SET

ANDY WARHOL
Grapes, 1979
The complete set of six screen-prints in colors on Strathmore Bristol paper
Each signed in felt-tip pen and numbered 8/50

Grapes (F&S II.190-195), 1979

Bonhams Los Angeles: 29 March 2022
Estimated: USD 200,000 – 250,000
USD 462,812
COMPLETE SET