Queen Margrethe II 342 (Trial Proof) by Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol's signature on the back of Queen Margrethe II 342 (trial proof).
The Queen MArgrethe II 342 trial proof screenprint in frame
Size comparison for Andy Warhol Queen Margrethe II of Denmark 342, from Warhol's Reigning Queens portfolio.

Queen Margrethe II 342 (Trial Proof)

Catalog Title: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark (FS II.342) (Trial Proof)
Year: 1985
Size: 39 3/8" x 31 1/2"
Medium: Screenprint on Lenox Museum Board
Edition: Portfolio of 4 screenprints. There are 30 TP signed and numbered in pencil as follows: Elizabeth II, Beatrix on lower right; Margrethe II, Ntombi Twala on lower left. Each print is unique.
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Queen Margrethe II of Denmark 342 was created by Andy Warhol in 1985 as part of his Reigning Queens series. Other queens in the series include Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland, and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The portfolio consists of sixteen screenprints. Warhol depicts these four female monarchs in their own right, rather than as women who were married to a king. Warhol also did another series of Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), in which the images were accented with diamond dust. The portraits of the powerful matriarch are characterized by a collage style and colorful squares lining the images.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark 342 as Part of Andy Warhol’s Larger Body of Work

Warhol created the Reigning Queens series during the mid-1980s, which was arguably his most prolific period. During this time, Warhol was forming bonds with a number of younger artists in the New York art scene including Jean-Michel Basquiat, Julian Schnabel and David Salle. Warhol saw a re-emergence of critical and financial success during this period of his life. Warhol was deeply interested in political figures, such as presidents, dictators and monarchs. In addition to the Reigning Queens portfolio, Warhol created prints of leaders such as Alexander the Great, Vladimir Lenin and John F. Kennedy.

Photo credits:

  1. The first official photograph of Queen Margrethe II of Denmark after her ascension to the throne in 1972. Courtesy of the Hulton and Getty archives.
  2. Andy Warhol signing an offset lithograph that was issued for the promotion of the print of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Unknown photographer.
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