Recent Art News

Pete Rose Portrait by Andy Warhol

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Saturday, 19 July 2008 04:10

Andy Warhol -  Pete Rose,1985 - © 2000 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/ Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY Museum Purchase: Bequest of Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Wichgar


CINCINNATI, OHIO - This summer the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Reds celebrate the great history of our city with an exclusive collaboration –the creation of a limited edition poster featuring a portrait of Pete Rose by American pop artist Andy Warhol. The poster will be unveiled to the public on Wednesday, July 30 at the Cincinnati Art Museum; all proceeds from the sales benefit the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund.

On July 30, visitors can also hear the fascinating story of how Warhol and Rose crossed paths through Cincinnati’s own Carl Solway. The unveiling takes place at 7 p.m. followed by Solway’s “Art of the Deal” talk at 7:30 p.m.

“This historic moment reminds Cincinnatians that art is not only something you find in museums –it is part of our everyday conversation with the community,” said Aaron Betsky, director of the Cincinnati Art Museum. “We are thrilled to partner with the Cincinnati Reds and share this important work by Warhol with art connoisseurs and baseball fans alike.”

Best-known for his screen-printing technique, Warhol’s “assembly-line” effect offered his subjects a promise of immortality –more than the proverbial 15 minutes of fame. In 1985, the Art Museum commissioned Warhol to create a portrait commemorating baseball player Pete Rose, who broke Ty Cobb’s long-standing record of 4,191 lifetime hits. Derived from a picture taken by Cincinnati photographer Gordon Baer, the painting plays off the classic baseball card. The original painting Pete Rose (1985) is currently on view at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

The “Art of the Deal” talk and unveiling are free and open to the general public. Framed and numbered prints are available for purchase through the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Shop and the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund. Cost is $75 for unframed posters and $500 for signed and framed limited edition posters; the signed prints include a supplemental photo of Pete Rose signing the poster and a fact sheet with its history.

All proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Reds Community Fund and the Cincinnati Art Museum. For more information call the Cincinnati Art Museum (513) 721-ARTS or the Reds Community Fund (513) 765-7231.


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