Andy Warhol “Cow” (Yellow on Pink), 1966 — Pop Art, Consumerism, and the Reinvention of the Everyday

Few images in 20th-century art are as instantly recognizable as Andy Warhol’s “Cow” — a bold, humorous, and subversive celebration of consumer culture. This rare original 1966 screenprint, produced in New York as part of Warhol’s first wallpaper series, captures the essence of Pop Art’s fascination with repetition, mass imagery, and the recontextualization of ordinary subjects.

The Artwork

Warhol’s “Cow” series was conceived in collaboration with the art critic Ivan Karp, who suggested the artist try a more “pastoral” theme after years of soup cans and celebrities. Warhol’s response was deliberately ironic — producing an oversized, brightly colored cow rendered in commercial printing tones.

This particular example — yellow background with magenta cow — stands as one of the most sought-after colorways from the 1966 production. Originally screenprinted on wallpaper rolls, these works blurred the boundaries between art and decoration, high culture and consumer product.

• Artist: Andy Warhol (1928–1987)

• Title: Cow (Yellow on Pink)

• Year: 1966

• Medium: Screenprint on wallpaper

• Dimensions: 45.75" × 30" (unframed)

• Edition: 1st edition, hand-signed

• Provenance: The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts (COA included)

• Condition: Excellent, unframed

Context and Meaning

The Cow series exemplifies Warhol’s genius for elevating the mundane. By transforming a simple farm animal into a monumental Pop icon, Warhol poked fun at traditional art’s obsession with “important” subjects while commenting on the growing commodification of visual culture.

This work embodies the artist’s ongoing dialogue with consumerism, celebrity, and mass production — the same themes that define his Marilyn, Soup Can, and Dollar Sign series.

Collectibility and Market Value

Original 1966 Cow screenprints are among Warhol’s most collectible and historically significant prints. Their scarcity — especially signed examples from the first wallpaper edition — makes them highly desirable for both institutional and private collections.

Auction results for comparable works have ranged between $75,000 and $150,000, depending on condition, colorway, and provenance. With direct authentication from The Andy Warhol Foundation, this piece represents a secure blue-chip acquisition in the Pop Art market.

Professional Authentication and Appraisal for Fine Art

Whether you own a Warhol, Lichtenstein, Basquiat, or other postwar masterpiece, expert authentication and appraisal are critical to establishing provenance and protecting long-term value.

At DJR Authentication, we specialize in the verification, documentation, and valuation of modern and contemporary artworks — providing professional reports suitable for resale, insurance, or estate purposes.

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