Mao 93
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1972
Medium: Screen print
Size: 36 x 36 in (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
Edition: 250
Signed
A defining image from Andy Warhol’s celebrated Mao series, Mao 93 (1972) reflects the artist’s fascination with political power, celebrity, and mass-media reproduction. This 36 × 36-inch screenprint, signed and numbered from an edition of 250, transforms Mao Zedong’s official portrait into a bold Pop Art icon. Its cultural resonance, commanding scale, and documented edition make it a compelling work for discerning collectors.
Mao 93 by Andy Warhol belongs to his landmark Mao series, first exhibited at Galerie Ileana Sonnabend in Paris in 1973 after Warhol began developing the Mao paintings in 1972. By taking the official portrait of Chinese leader Mao Zedong and repeating it through silkscreen, Warhol turned political authority into a symbol of celebrity, media, and mass reproduction. The bold colors and expressive marks also soften and disrupt Mao’s official image, raising questions about power, propaganda, identity, and fame.
There is no recognized street-graffiti version. Warhol’s Mao works were produced through his studio screen-printing process and belong to the gallery and fine-art tradition rather than the later street-art movement.
For collectors, Mao 93 has strong market importance because Mao is one of Warhol’s defining subjects. Rarity, edition, color, condition, provenance, and authentication all shape desirability. The series remains highly sought after by collectors building a serious Warhol collection.
From our gallery perspective, the strength of Mao 93 is its tension: political power becomes pop celebrity. It is immediately recognizable yet layered with meaning.
Artistically, the work sits within Warhol’s mature Pop period, alongside his Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Dollar Signs. For collectors seeking a historically significant Warhol with lasting cultural relevance, Mao 93 is a compelling acquisition.
More Andy Warhol Works to Explore
Mao 93
by Andy Warhol
Year: 1972
Medium: Screen print
Size: 36 x 36 in (91.44 x 91.44 cm)
Edition: 250
A defining image from Andy Warhol’s celebrated Mao series, Mao 93 (1972) reflects the artist’s fascination with political power, celebrity, and mass-media reproduction. This 36 × 36-inch screenprint, signed and numbered from an edition of 250, transforms Mao Zedong’s official portrait into a bold Pop Art icon. Its cultural resonance, commanding scale, and documented edition make it a compelling work for discerning collectors.
Mao 93 by Andy Warhol belongs to his landmark Mao series, first exhibited at Galerie Ileana Sonnabend in Paris in 1973 after Warhol began developing the Mao paintings in 1972. By taking the official portrait of Chinese leader Mao Zedong and repeating it through silkscreen, Warhol turned political authority into a symbol of celebrity, media, and mass reproduction. The bold colors and expressive marks also soften and disrupt Mao’s official image, raising questions about power, propaganda, identity, and fame.
There is no recognized street-graffiti version. Warhol’s Mao works were produced through his studio screen-printing process and belong to the gallery and fine-art tradition rather than the later street-art movement.
For collectors, Mao 93 has strong market importance because Mao is one of Warhol’s defining subjects. Rarity, edition, color, condition, provenance, and authentication all shape desirability. The series remains highly sought after by collectors building a serious Warhol collection.
From our gallery perspective, the strength of Mao 93 is its tension: political power becomes pop celebrity. It is immediately recognizable yet layered with meaning.
Artistically, the work sits within Warhol’s mature Pop period, alongside his Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Dollar Signs. For collectors seeking a historically significant Warhol with lasting cultural relevance, Mao 93 is a compelling acquisition.