Hans Christian Andersen 396 by Andy Warhol is a screenprint from Andy Warhol’s 1987 Hans Christian Andersen I Complete Portfolio, based on paper cut out pieces of characters from Andersen’s fairytales and a photograph of Andersen himself. Andersen was a Danish author who became very well known for his fairy tales that were enjoyed by young and old audiences. Warhol was inspired by Andersen, which is why he decided to create a series devoted to the author and his unique characters. In Hans Christian Andersen 396, Warhol creates his “Pop”contrast through the use of a bright blue character standing against a black and pastel background.
Andy Warhol’s Hans Christian Andersen suite is a portfolio of four screenprints, three of which include a paper cut-out style based on characters from Andersen’s fairy tales. Andy Warhol was inspired by Andersen’s unique characters, which is why he devoted most of his suite to them, with only one portrait of the author himself. This series, completed in 1987, was printed by Rupert Jasen Smith in New York and published by Art Expo Danmark, Odense, Denmark. Hans Christian Andersen became famous for his fairy tales that transcended age and culture. Considering Warhol took great interest in creating portraits and series on iconic figures, it is not surprising that Warhol would choose to create a series on the very talented and well-known author and his many wonderful characters. The complete Hans Christian Andersen set includes FS II.349-201 and was posthumously stamped in black on verso.
Photo credit: Original Hans Christian Andersen paper cutout of the ‘Clown with Tablet on his Head.’ Published on “The Exquisite, Ephemeral Paper Cuttings of Hans Christian Andersen in Art,” by Creativity, Literature, Museums, March 1st, 2021. Courtesy of Odense City Museum.
