After the Party 183 is a black and white photo of a table with scattered glasses and plates, brought to life by the rainbow gradient highlighting the subjects. There is an inherent chaos in the work. The reflective surfaces, the random arrangement of the glasses, and vivid outlines all contribute to the sense of excess. The disorder is heightened by the way the screenprint was produced and aligned. The print evokes ideas of gilded wealth and excess and their perceived glory, hiding a plainness and darkness behind them. Notably, Warhol signed this particular print of After the Party, making it especially interesting.
After the Party 183 by Andy Warhol as Part of His Larger Body of Work
The subject and the print itself suggest the residue of a frenzied yet enjoyable gathering. Moreover, Warhol conveys this sentiment through both the composition and artistic liberties he took in creating this piece. “The best kind of party I could give would be champagne and nuts and then take everybody dancing” (The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again p. 196). According to the catalogue raisonné Andy Warhol Prints by Feldman & Schellmann, the rainbow roll drawing line varies from print to print.
Photo credit: The Andy Warhol Diaries, Courtesy of Netflix.
