Known for his fascination with the iconic, famous and infamous, Andy Warhol captured the likeness of countless household names, however the subjects of his 'Ladies and Gentlemen' series were little known.
Warhol was commissioned by Italian art dealer Luciano Anselmino to make a series displaying anonymous, impersonal individuals of the LGBTQ+ community, under the title 'Ladies and Gentlemen'.
In the process of finding sitters for this series, Warhol departed from Anselmino’s desires, instead choosing to capture and celebrate the personality, individualism and glamour of his sitters.
Portrait of Luciano Anselmino by Warhol, in the collection of Columbia University Libraries
Warhol’s sitters would have been well known individuals within New York’s gay and trans scene and included Alphanso Panell, Broadway, Easha McCleary, Helen/Harry Morales, Iris, Ivette, Kim, Lurdes, Marsha P. Johnson, Michele Long, Monique, Vicki Peters and Wilhelmina Ross. Whilst the identity of the fourteenth model remains unknown.
In 2020, 25 artworks from the Ladies and Gentlemen collection were first on view at Tate Modern.
'Through today’s lens it is particularly relevant with the recent anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. I think this was a project that was close to Warhol’s heart,' Gregor Muir, a Tate co-curator and director explained.
The artwork will be featured in our current exhibition 'Andy Warhol: 20 Under 20'.
