Mobil 350 (Trial Proof) by Andy Warhol is a trial proof screenprint from his 1985 Ads portfolio, published by Ronald Feldman. The image presents the familiar Mobilgas Pegasus suspended within a shield-shaped sign. Yet here the composition feels lighter and more atmospheric. The background shifts to a pale, almost powdery blue, softening the contrast and allowing the metallic gold Pegasus to appear more diffuse and luminous. Fine, hand-drawn lines in violet, orange, and yellow trace the contours of the wings and limbs, creating a slight visual echo that gives the figure a trembling, kinetic edge. The typography below—“Mobilgas” and “Socony-Vacuum”—appears slightly misregistered, with subtle color offsets that emphasize the print’s provisional quality. By contrast, the regular edition’s saturated cobalt background and bold red Pegasus feel more fixed and declarative, while the trial proof retains a sense of experimentation and openness.
Trial Proofs and Warhol’s Process
As a trial proof, this version of Mobil 350 offers a direct glimpse into Warhol’s working method. Trial proofs were produced during the editioning process and often feature variations in color, registration, and linework. In this case, the softened palette and layered outlines suggest an active exploration of how the image could resolve. Rather than presenting a finalized commercial emblem, Warhol allows the mechanics of printing to remain visible. Consequently, the Pegasus appears less like a polished corporate icon and more like a shifting form caught mid-production. This openness aligns with Warhol’s broader practice, where repetition and variation reveal the underlying structure of mass-produced imagery.
Mobil 350 (Trial Proof) by Andy Warhol as Part of His Larger Body of Work
Within the Ads portfolio, Mobil 350 (Trial Proof) occupies a distinct position. While other works—such as Chanel or Apple—emphasize luxury and technological modernity, the Mobilgas logo looks back to early twentieth-century industrial branding. The Pegasus, derived from a 1930s sign, connects mobility with myth, suggesting speed, aspiration, and national identity. Moreover, Warhol’s decision to revisit this older design introduces a layer of nostalgia, linking postwar consumer culture to its origins. For further historical context, see the evolution of Mobil into ExxonMobil.
Ultimately, Mobil 350 (Trial Proof) demonstrates how Warhol balanced precision with contingency. The trial proof format foregrounds the artist’s hand, even within a process associated with mechanical reproduction. At the same time, it reinforces his enduring interest in how commercial imagery shapes cultural memory. Collectors value these proofs not only for their rarity but also for their insight into Warhol’s decision-making. Here, the familiar becomes unstable, and the finished image remains just out of reach, preserving the tension between process and product that defines Warhol’s art.
Photo © Mobilgas Vintage Logo, 1932–1939. Courtesy of Phillips.