
Andy Warhol 1928-1987
Andy Warhol’s Queen Elizabeth II (F&S II.336) was created in 1985 as part of his Reigning Queens portfolio, a series featuring four female monarchs: Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, and Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland. Warhol based this portrait on the official Silver Jubilee photograph of Queen Elizabeth II, taken by Peter Grugeon in 1977.
In this body of work, Warhol extended his portraiture of public figures beyond celebrity into hereditary power, merging royalty with the visual language of Pop Art. As with his depictions of Marilyn Monroe or Jackie Kennedy, Warhol isolates the subject’s face, flattens the background, and stylises the surface—emphasising fame over individuality, image over identity.
Queen Elizabeth II is both a continuation of Warhol’s fascination with fame and a formal exploration of how state images function in contemporary media. Unlike the Royal Edition, this version does not incorporate diamond dust, offering a more restrained but equally impactful visual treatment.
This print is signed and numbered in pencil lower right and is presented in excellent condition by Coskun Fine Art. Full authentication and provenance are available on request.
Provenance
Andy Warhol Foundation
Literature
Feldman & Schellmann: II.336