Hans Christian Andersen 394 by Andy Warhol is a screenprint from the 1987 Hans Christian Andersen I Complete Portfolio. The composition presents the celebrated Danish author in two distinct forms. A sharply rendered portrait occupies the foreground, while a larger monochrome silhouette appears behind him like an echo from the past. Warhol uses vivid crimson red and deep black to divide the composition into opposing fields of color. Meanwhile, subtle violet tones enrich Andersen’s clothing, and loose sketch-like lines emerge around the edges. The result is dramatic, graphic, and strikingly modern.
Portrait of a Storyteller
Hans Christian Andersen became one of the most influential storytellers in literary history. His fairy tales inspired generations of readers and continue to shape popular culture today. Warhol recognized Andersen as a cultural icon whose influence extended far beyond literature. Consequently, he approached the author much as he approached movie stars, artists, and public figures throughout his career.
In Hans Christian Andersen 394, Warhol combines photographic realism with graphic abstraction. The doubled image creates a sense of depth and memory. At the same time, the contrast between red and black heightens the emotional intensity of the portrait. Moreover, the layered imagery reflects Warhol’s interest in repetition and visual transformation. Rather than presenting Andersen as a distant historical figure, Warhol transforms him into a contemporary presence.
Hans Christian Andersen 394 in Warhol’s Larger Body of Work
Warhol completed the Hans Christian Andersen series in 1987, the final year of his life. The portfolio includes four screenprints, three based on Andersen’s paper cut-outs and one devoted to his portrait. Together, the works celebrate both the author and his creative imagination. Moreover, they demonstrate Warhol’s continued interest in figures who left a lasting mark on culture.
The series was printed by Rupert Jasen Smith in New York and published by Art Expo Danmark in Odense, Denmark. Furthermore, the project connected Warhol to Andersen’s homeland while introducing the writer to a new generation of collectors. Collectors value Hans Christian Andersen 394 for its bold palette, layered composition, and historical significance within Warhol’s final body of work. The complete Hans Christian Andersen I portfolio includes FS II.394–395 and was posthumously stamped in black on the verso.
Photo credit: Andy Warhol holding his Hans Christian Andersen (FS II.398) print. Published in a 1987 exhibition invitation for Hans Christian Andersen’s Paper Cuts by Andy Warhol. Printed by Privatbanken NYC.
