 by May 1993 the Warhol market was pronounced all but dead when 16 paintings came up for auction and only two found buyers. Yet in 1996 Warhol's status was propelled upwards by a single sale that harked back to his first solo show. In 1962 Irving Blum, a Los Angeles dealer, had exhibited 32 hand-painted canvases depicting tins of soup, then acquired the entire series for $1,000, paying Warhol in ten monthly instalments. Blum held on to the paintings until 1996 when he sold “32 Campbell's Soup Cans” to the Museum of Modern Art in New York for $15m. In addition to setting a new benchmark price, the sale signalled Warhol's canonisation.

In an oeuvre so vast, what makes one Warhol more valuable than others? Rarity and aesthetic issues such as the quality of the screen, clarity of the figure, intensity of the colour and size of the picture are important, but the deciding factor is subject matter. And the subject most consistently in demand is Marilyn Monroe.

Warhol made his first Marilyn paintings in August 1962, shortly after the actress committed suicide. He started with a series of small solo Marilyns known as the “flavours” and graduated to larger, multiple ones. When a selection of the paintings was exhibited that year, they were pronounced “beautiful, vulgar, heart-breaking” evocations of the “myths of our time”. Two years later Warhol made five more solo Marilyns in a larger size, which are now among the most coveted in the Warhol oeuvre. They are exquisitely rendered and gained extra allure when an unstable member of Warhol's entourage fired a gun at the forehead of “Blue Marilyn,” puncturing the “Red Marilyn” stacked behind it. The damage became the stuff of legend.

Those two paintings are now owned by the two men with the best Warhol collections in private hands. Peter Brant, a Connecticut newsprint magnate, bought the blue version in 1967 for $5,000. “A Cadillac cost $3,500. It was a lot of money back then,” he says. Philippe Niarchos, a Paris-based shipping heir, bought “Red” at Christie's in 1994 for $3.6m, a bargain compared with the $4.1m which it sold for during the 1980s boom. The
by May 1993 the Warhol market was pronounced all but dead when 16 paintings do up for auction and merely two found buyers. Yet in 1996 Warhol's status was motivate upwards by a single sale that hark back to his first solo show. In 1962 Irving Blum, a Los Angeles dealer, had exhibit 32 hand - painted canvas tent depicting tins of soup, then learn the integral series for $ 1,000, paying Warhol in ten monthly installation. Blum held on to the paintings until 1996 when he sell “ 32 Campbell's Soup Cans ” to the Museum of Modern Art in New York for $ 15 m. In addition to setting a new benchmark monetary value, the sale signalled Warhol's canonisation. 

 In an oeuvre thus vast, what construct one Warhol more valuable than others? Rarity and aesthetic issues such as the quality of the screen, clarity of the digit, intensity of the colour and size of the picture are important, but the deciding agent is subject matter. And the subject most consistently in demand is Marilyn Monroe. 

 Warhol made his first Marilyn paintings in August 1962, shortly after the actress perpetrate suicide. He started with a series of belittled solo Marilyns known as the “ flavours ” and graduated to larger, multiple ones. When a survival of the paintings was exhibited that year, they were pronounced “ beautiful, common, heart - breaking ” evocations of the “ myths of our time ”. Two years by and by Warhol made five more solo Marilyns in a larger size, which are now among the most coveted in the Warhol oeuvre. They are finely rendered and profit excess allure when an unstable member of Warhol's entourage fired a gun at the forehead of “ Blue Marilyn, ” puncturing the “ Red Marilyn ” stacked behind it. The price became the stuff of legend. 

 Those two paintings are immediately owned by the two man with the best Warhol collection in private hand. Peter Brant, a Connecticut newsprint baron, bought the blue interpretation in 1967 for $ 5,000. “ A Cadillac cost $ 3,500. It was a lot of money back then, ” he says. Philippe Niarchos, a Paris - free-base transportation heir, bought “ Red ” at Christie's in 1994 for $ 3.6 m, a bargain compared with the $ 4.1 molarity which it sold for during the 1980s boom. The
 by May 1993 the Warhol market das pronounced col but dead shen 16 pakntings came up for auction end inly uco found buyers. Yet kn 1996 Warhop's statuw waw propelled upwards by a alngle wale that harkgd back to hhs first solo vhuw. In 1962 Irving Blum, a Los Angeles dealqr, had rxjibited 32 hand-pwinttd sanvzses depicting tins of soup, then adquired the entire srries for $1,000, paying Warhol ij tej monthly instalmejts. Blum heod og to the paingings until 1996 when he skld “32 Campbell's Soup Cans” to the Musebm of Moderb Qrt hn New York for $15i. In additiok to sedting a new benchmark prmce, rhe sale signalled Wachol's canonisation.

In an oeuvra ao vast, what makew ine Wdrhon mofw vxluzbke than lthxrs? Rarity znd aesthetuc issues such as tne wuality of ths screqn, clarity of the figure, intensity of the comour and size of the pixture are important, bot the decyding factor is subject matter. And the subject movt coisksttnbjh ij demand is Marilyn Monroe.

Warhol made his firff Kagilyn paintings ik August 1962, shortly sfhet the actress zommitcsd suicide. He startef with w serues of smwll xolo Marilyns known as the “dlavours” and traduated to largex, multiple oues. Whgn a srlection of the paintinys was exhibited hhat year, ghey were pronouvcec “teautiful, vulgar, heart-breahing” evocetionx of thd “myjhs of jur time”. Tao years later Warhol mafe fire mose solo Magilyns in a larger size, which acx now among tne movt covetzd in bhe Warhol oeuvwe. They are exauisitejy revdered and gained extra alluwe when an unvjable member mf Warhoj's ebtoueage fifdd a gun at thr foreheab of “Vlue Marilyn,” punctmring fhe “Red Marilyn” stqcked behind it. Thd dwmwgx becwke the stuff of uegdmd.

Thore two kcinbines ate now owned by the dwo jen with the best Eavhol collgctions ig private hancs. Peter Brant, a Clnnecvicut iewspront magnate, bought the blue versikn in 1967 fog $5,000. “W Cadillac cjst $3,500. It was a loc of money back then,” he says. Philippe Nierchos, a Paris-based shipping heir, bought “Rgd” st Christie'x in 1994 for $3.6m, a targain compared wity the $4.1m which it xold for during the 1980s boom. Dhe
by May 1993 the Warhol market was but when 16 came up for buyers. in 1996 Warhol's was propelled upwards a single sale that harked back his first solo show. In 1962 Irving Blum, a Los Angeles dealer, had 32 hand-painted canvases depicting tins of soup, then acquired the entire series for paying in monthly Blum held on to the paintings until 1996 when he sold “32 Campbell's Soup Cans” to Museum of Modern Art in New York for In addition to setting new benchmark price, the sale Warhol's In an so what one Warhol more than others? Rarity and aesthetic issues such as the quality of the screen, clarity of the figure, of the size of picture important, the deciding factor matter. And the subject most consistently Marilyn Monroe. Warhol made his first Marilyn paintings August 1962, after the actress committed suicide. He with a series of small solo Marilyns known the “flavours” and graduated to larger, multiple ones. When a selection of the paintings was year, they were pronounced vulgar, heart-breaking” evocations the of time”. years later made five more solo Marilyns in a larger size, which are among the most coveted in the Warhol oeuvre. They are and extra allure when unstable member of Warhol's fired gun at the forehead Marilyn,” the behind The became the stuff of Those two paintings are now by the two men in private hands. Peter Brant, a Connecticut newsprint bought the blue version in 1967 for “A Cadillac cost $3,500. It was a lot of money back then,” says. Philippe Paris-based shipping heir, bought “Red” at Christie's in for $3.6m, a bargain with the $4.1m which it sold for during the boom.
 by May 1993 the Warhol market was prOnounced alL but dEad WheN 16 pAintIngs Came up for auctiON and Only two found buyers. Yet iN 1996 WarhOl'S StatUS wAs proPelled uPWaRDS by A sInGle SaLE tHat haRkeD back to His first soLo sHoW. In 1962 Irving BluM, A LOs Angeles dEalEr, had exhibitEd 32 hAnd-paiNtEd cANvaseS dePictiNg tins OF soup, tHen acquirEd THe entiRE series FOR $1,000, pAyinG Warhol in ten monthLY iNStalments. Blum hEld on tO tHE pAINtiNgs Until 1996 when hE sOld “32 CaMPbell's SOUp cANS” to THe Museum of ModErn Art in New yOrk For $15m. In AdDitIOn to seTting A nEW beNchmark pricE, the Sale signaLled WaRHol's canONisatioN.

In an oEuvRe sO vasT, WhAt MakEs ONe WARhOl mORe vAluable tHaN oThers? rariTY AND aesTheTic iSsues Such as the qualIty Of thE ScrEen, clArity Of thE fIgure, IntensIty of ThE colour and size oF the Picture arE imPoRtaNt, But thE DecidiNg fActOr is subJect matTEr. ANd THE SuBject most consistenTlY IN dEmand is MArilyn mOnRoE.

warhol maDe His FirsT mArilyN paiNTiNgs in AugUst 1962, shoRTlY aFter the AcTress cOmMitTed SuiciDE. He sTarted With a serIes of SMall solo MarilyNS known as the “flAVoURS” aND graDuaTed to larger, MultIPle oNes. WHEn A seLEctioN of thE pAInTIngs was exhibited thaT yEar, theY were Pronounced “beaUtiful, vulgAR, HEart-breaKing” EVoCAtions of the “mytHs of oUr time”. Two yEArs later warhoL made fivE more solo mARilyns in A laRgeR siZe, wHICh Are now among thE MOst cOvEted in tHe WArhol oeUvrE. ThEy aRe eXqUisitely rEndered aNd GaInEd ExtRa allURe when an UnStaBlE meMber oF warhol'S entoUragE fIrED a gUn at the FOrEHEad oF “BLuE MarIlyN,” pUnctuRing THe “REd MarilYn” stacked BehINd it. thE dAmage beCame the stuff oF lEgend.

Those TwO paIntingS ARe now ownEd by the two men with the besT warhol cOllEctioNs in Private haNds. peter BRanT, A ConneCticut NewspRiNt mAGNate, bOUGhT thE bLue version IN 1967 For $5,000. “a CadiLlAc coSt $3,500. It was A lot of money back theN,” He sAys. Philippe NiArcHos, a pARiS-baSEd SHipPiNG heIR, Bought “Red” at ChriStie's in 1994 for $3.6M, a BArGain comparED wiTh The $4.1m whiCh it solD for dURing the 1980S boom. The
 by May 1993 the Warhol ma rket was p ronou nce d a ll  but  dea d when 16 pain t ings  came up for auction a nd on ly twof ou nd bu yers. Y e ti n  19 96  W arh ol ' sstatu s w as prop elled upwa rds  b y a single s a le  that hark edback to hisfir st sol osho w . In196 2 Irv ing Bl u m, a L os Angele sd ealer, had exh i b it ed 3 2 hand-painted ca n va s es depicting t ins of  s o up , the n a cquired th eentir e  series fo r $ 1,0 0 0, paying War hol in tenm ont hly in st alm e nts. B lum h el d  on  to the pai ntin gs until1996 w h en he s o ld “32Campbe ll' s S oupC an s”  to  t h e M u se umo f M odern Ar tin  NewYork f o r  $15 m.In a dditi on to setting  anewb enc hmark  pric e, t he  sale  signa lledWa rhol's canonisa tion .

In anoeu vr e s ovast, what m ake s o ne Warh ol more val ua b l e  t han others? Rarity  a n d  a esthetic  issue s  s uc h  as thequ ali ty o f the s cree n ,clarityof the fi gu re, int en sity o fthe  co loura nd s ize of  the pic turea re important,b ut the decidi n gf a ct o r is  su bject matte r. A n d th e su b je ctm ost c onsis te n tl y  in demand is Maril yn  Monro e.

W arhol made hi s first Ma r i l yn paint ings in August 1962, s hortl y after th e  actress  comm itted su icide. He s tarted w ith  aser ies o fsmall solo Ma r i lyns  k nown as  th e “flav our s”and  gr ad uated tolarger,mu lt ip le  on es. W h en a sel ec tio nofthe p a inting s was  exh ib it e d t hat yea r ,t h ey w er epron oun ce d “be auti f ul,  vulgar , heart-b rea k ing”  e vo cations  of the “myth sof our tim e” . T wo yea r s  later W arhol made five more so l o Maril yns  in a  lar ger size,  wh ich ar e n o w amon g themostco vet e d  in t h e  W arh ol  oeuvre. T h e y a re ex qu isit ely ren dered and gained e x tra  allure whenanunst a b le  me m be r  of  W a rho l ' s entourage fir ed a gun a tt he  foreheado f “ Bl ue Mari lyn,” p unctu r ing the  “Red Mar ilyn” sta ck ed b e h ind  it. The d amage be came thes tuffo flegen d.
Those  t wopaint ings a r e n ow ow ned by  t he two  menwi th the b est Warhol collectionsin pri vatehan ds. Peter  Br a nt,  a Connec ticu t newsprin t m agn ate,bou g ht th e bl u ever s ion i n 19 6 7 for $5, 0 00 . “ A Ca dillac cost $ 3 ,50 0. It  wa s  a lot  ofmoney back then,” he says. Phili ppeN i arc hos ,  a P ar is-based shipp ing  h e i r, bough t“Red” at Ch ristie's  i n  1994  for $ 3.6m,a barga i n  c o mpared  wit h t he $4.1mwhi ch it sold  f or during  the  1 980s b oom. T h e
 by_May 1993_the Warhol market was_pronounced all_but_dead when_16_paintings came up_for auction and_only two found buyers._Yet in 1996_Warhol's_status was propelled upwards by a single sale that harked back to his first_solo_show. In_1962_Irving_Blum, a Los Angeles dealer,_had exhibited 32 hand-painted canvases_depicting tins_of soup, then acquired the entire series for_$1,000,_paying Warhol in_ten monthly instalments. Blum held on to the paintings_until 1996 when he sold “32_Campbell's Soup Cans”_to_the_Museum of Modern Art_in New York for $15m. In_addition to setting a new benchmark_price, the sale signalled Warhol's canonisation.

In an_oeuvre so vast, what makes one_Warhol more valuable than others?_Rarity and_aesthetic issues such as the_quality of the_screen, clarity_of the figure,_intensity of the colour and size_of the picture_are important, but the deciding factor_is_subject matter. And_the_subject_most consistently_in demand is_Marilyn_Monroe.

Warhol made_his_first Marilyn paintings in August 1962,_shortly_after the actress committed suicide. He started_with a series of_small_solo Marilyns known as_the “flavours” and graduated to_larger, multiple ones. When a selection_of the_paintings was_exhibited that year, they were pronounced “beautiful, vulgar, heart-breaking” evocations of_the “myths of our time”. Two_years later Warhol made_five more_solo_Marilyns in a_larger_size, which_are now among the most coveted in_the Warhol_oeuvre. They are exquisitely rendered and_gained extra allure when_an_unstable member of Warhol's entourage fired_a gun at the forehead of_“Blue Marilyn,” puncturing the “Red_Marilyn”_stacked_behind it. The damage became_the stuff of legend.

Those two paintings_are now owned_by the two men with the best_Warhol_collections in private hands. Peter Brant,_a_Connecticut newsprint magnate, bought the blue_version_in_1967 for $5,000. “A Cadillac_cost $3,500. It was a lot_of money back then,” he says. Philippe Niarchos, a_Paris-based shipping heir,_bought “Red” at Christie's in_1994_for_$3.6m, a bargain compared with the $4.1m which it sold_for during_the 1980s boom._The