Hans Christian Andersen 401 by Andy Warhol is a screenprint from the artist’s 1987 Hans Christian Andersen Complete Portfolio. The print shows one of Andersen’s paper-cut figures outlined in bright orange and white against a deep black field. The silhouette resembles a fairytale character built from stacked shapes—heart motifs, a peaked hat, dangling limbs, and two small children at the base—each rendered with crisp edges that recall Andersen’s handmade cut-paper collages. The high contrast between the glowing form and the dark background gives Hans Christian Andersen 401 an almost lantern-like presence, allowing the figure to appear as though it is floating forward.
A Danish Storyteller as Pop Art
Hans Christian Andersen was known for his fairytales, which appealed to readers of all ages. Warhol admired both the stories and the visual style of the original paper cuts. As a result, he built most of the portfolio around these silhouettes, using their simple forms as a starting point. In this print, Warhol kept the crisp outlines but added vivid edges that glow against the dark background. This blend of shadow and color creates a lively, almost theatrical effect.
Andersen’s stories—including The Little Mermaid, The Snow Queen, and The Ugly Duckling—shaped international imagination for generations. Consequently, his visual language of cut-paper figures offered Warhol a natural entry point for creating imagery that felt both playful and iconic. Warhol often sought subjects whose cultural impact crossed borders, and Andersen’s legacy fit seamlessly into this interest in global figures.
Hans Christian Andersen 401 in Warhol’s Larger Body of Work
Warhol completed the Hans Christian Andersen suite in 1987, during the final year of his life. He worked with printer Rupert Jasen Smith in New York, and Art Expo Danmark published the edition in Odense, Andersen’s hometown. The full set contains four prints, three of which use the paper-cut style. The last print shows Andersen himself, which helps anchor the group as a small tribute to the author’s legacy.
Warhol often explored famous figures, myths, or cultural symbols. Although Andersen lived in the nineteenth century, his stories still shape film, theatre, and popular culture today. Because of this, Warhol saw the author as a global figure. He also appreciated the direct, graphic look of the cut-paper forms, which fit easily into his own visual language. Hans Christian Andersen 401 reflects that meeting point: a historic source paired with a modern Pop Art finish. The glowing outline, simplified shapes, and flat planes of color show how Warhol translated an old craft into something new.
Collectors value Hans Christian Andersen 401 for its bright lines, strong contrast, and connection to Warhol’s final year. It is a compact but striking example of how he adapted unexpected material and transformed it into a contemporary icon.
Photo credit: Exhibition invitation for “Hans Christian Andersen’s Paper Cuts by Andy Warhol,” printed by Privatbanken NYC, 1987.
