Warhol's Camouflage series confronts issues of pattern and design within the context of the New York School of Abstraction. Using an image which is itself a simplification of nature, the artist addresses the history of landscape painting. Warhol is reported to have asked his studio assistants, “What can I do that would be abstract but not really abstract?” Camouflage gave him the opportunity to work with both an abstract pattern and an immediately recognizable image, rich in associations. Unlike military motifs, Warhol’s camouflage paintings reflect bright synthetic and inorganic colors, which would not provide a veil or disguise in any landscape.

The present lot consists of all 8 works from Warhol's 1987 Camouflage set which is also the last print portfolio produced by the artist before his untimely death that same year. Created by artists at the military’s request, camouflage dates from the early 20th century. It was first used for concealment of equipment, and then for uniforms. As Warhol created more camouflage works he incorporated the pattern into his self-portraits. In these works, the juxtaposition of identity and disguise mirrors the artist’s lifelong struggle to gain notoriety while keeping his own private life hidden. The camouflage motif, with its vibrant blocks of intense color, transcended the art world and even served as the basis for a collection of clothing by Warhol's friend and iconic fashion designer, Stephen Sprouse.

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