Andy Warhol and Mick Jagger first met at a party in New York, 1964, and maintained a strong professional and personal relationship until Warhol’s untimely death in 1987. In the summer of 1975, whilst Jagger and his wife Bianca were staying at Warhol’s Long Island home, the artist decided he wanted Jagger to be the protagonist of his next portfolio of screenprints. Compared to his previous celebrity portraits, the 10 screenprints that make up this portfolio all vary in pose and colour combination. The polaroids, which Warhol took in order to make the screenprints, show Jagger shirtless with dishevelled hair and a relaxed pose, making for a more intimate portrayal of the musician. By photographing the sitter himself as opposed to appropriating existing photos, these portraits mark a stylistic shift in Warhol’s process towards a more mature, unique visual exploration of fame. The portfolio stands out as a unique look at a musical legend through Warhol’s eccentric yet intimate eyes and is one of the artist’s most celebrated series.

Screenprint in colours, 1975, on Arches Aquarelle paper, signed in pencil by the artist and in ink by Mick Jagger, numbered from the edition of 250 (there were also 50 artist’s proofs), printed by Alexander Heinrici, New York, published by Seabird Editions, London, with their ink-stamp verso, 110.5 x 73.7 cm. (43½ x 29 in.)