Mao 90
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1972
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 36 x 36 in (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
Signed
Against the backdrop of 1970s political imagery, Andy Warhol’s Mao 90 (1972) turns a portrait of Mao Zedong into a polished meditation on power, celebrity, and mass media. This 36 × 36-inch screenprint exemplifies Warhol’s ability to recast political iconography through Pop Art. Signed by the artist, it presents collectors with a compelling work from his influential Mao series and a distinctive piece of postwar art history.
Mao 90 belongs to Andy Warhol’s landmark Mao series, which began in 1972 after President Nixon’s historic visit to China. Warhol took Mao Zedong’s official portrait and recast it through Pop art, turning a political leader into a globally recognizable media image. The series reflects the era’s fascination with power, propaganda, celebrity, and mass communication.
There is no original street-graffiti version. Warhol created Mao 90 through his studio painting and silkscreen practice, rather than public-wall art. Its flat colour, strong contrast, and repeated image nevertheless helped shape the graphic language that later influenced street culture.
The portrait carries a tension between authority and celebrity. Repetition reduces the distance between political propaganda and commercial advertising, suggesting that both rely on powerful images to command attention.
For collectors, Mao 90 holds strong appeal as part of one of Warhol’s most important portrait series. Edition, colourway, condition, signature, and provenance are crucial when judging rarity and market strength.
From our gallery experience, Mao remains one of Warhol’s most commanding subjects. It combines historical weight with immediate visual impact.
The work fits Warhol’s early-1970s portrait period, alongside Marilyn, Mick Jagger, and other celebrity images. For collectors seeking a culturally significant Warhol with enduring Pop art relevance, Mao 90 is a compelling acquisition.
More Andy Warhol Works to Explore
Mao 90
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1972
Medium: Screenprint
Size: 36 x 36 in (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
Signed
Against the backdrop of 1970s political imagery, Andy Warhol’s Mao 90 (1972) turns a portrait of Mao Zedong into a polished meditation on power, celebrity, and mass media. This 36 × 36-inch screenprint exemplifies Warhol’s ability to recast political iconography through Pop Art. Signed by the artist, it presents collectors with a compelling work from his influential Mao series and a distinctive piece of postwar art history.
Mao 90 belongs to Andy Warhol’s landmark Mao series, which began in 1972 after President Nixon’s historic visit to China. Warhol took Mao Zedong’s official portrait and recast it through Pop art, turning a political leader into a globally recognizable media image. The series reflects the era’s fascination with power, propaganda, celebrity, and mass communication.
There is no original street-graffiti version. Warhol created Mao 90 through his studio painting and silkscreen practice, rather than public-wall art. Its flat colour, strong contrast, and repeated image nevertheless helped shape the graphic language that later influenced street culture.
The portrait carries a tension between authority and celebrity. Repetition reduces the distance between political propaganda and commercial advertising, suggesting that both rely on powerful images to command attention.
For collectors, Mao 90 holds strong appeal as part of one of Warhol’s most important portrait series. Edition, colourway, condition, signature, and provenance are crucial when judging rarity and market strength.
From our gallery experience, Mao remains one of Warhol’s most commanding subjects. It combines historical weight with immediate visual impact.
The work fits Warhol’s early-1970s portrait period, alongside Marilyn, Mick Jagger, and other celebrity images. For collectors seeking a culturally significant Warhol with enduring Pop art relevance, Mao 90 is a compelling acquisition.