Cherub and Horse - Andy Warhol
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
An early ink and watercolour illustration by Andy Warhol, featuring a whimsical cherub riding a blue horse in his signature blotted-line style.
This work belongs to the early commercial period of Andy Warhol, dating to his time as a freelance illustrator in New York City. Before his rise to prominence with screen-printed icons of mass culture, Warhol produced numerous drawings for magazines and advertisements. This piece displays the characteristic blotted-line technique he developed during the 1950s, which involved transferring ink from a sketch to a fresh sheet of paper to create a soft, slightly irregular contour.
The subject depicts a cherub mounted upon a blue horse. The composition is minimal, relying on clean lines and flat washes of colour. The cherub, rendered with a pale pink wash, holds a small bouquet or fan, while the horse is depicted in a bold, saturated blue. The inclusion of a quiver of arrows suggests a mythological theme, yet the execution remains playful and whimsical. Unlike the mechanical precision of his later works, this illustration reveals a more personal, hand-drawn quality. The negative space surrounding the figures is expansive, allowing the viewer to focus on the economy of the line work and the deliberate application of colour.
Warhol's early illustrations often drew inspiration from fashion, childhood, and fantasy. This particular drawing captures the lighthearted aesthetic that defined his early career. It provides a view into the artist's technical development, showing how he experimented with line and colour before adopting the photographic processes that would later define his practice. The work is a fine example of mid-century graphic illustration, reflecting the charm and simplicity found in his early commercial commissions.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Cherub and Horse - Andy Warhol
Artist Biography
Andy Warhol
He moved to New York after graduating from Carnegie Tech in 1949 and spent the 1950s as a commercial illustrator. He was successful at it: shoe drawings for I. Miller, album covers, magazine illustrations. The work was loose, charming, and camp. He won awards. But commercial art was not taken seriously, and Warhol wanted to be taken seriously.
The Campbell's Soup Cans came in 1962. Thirty-two canvases, one for each flavour. Then Marilyn, then Elvis, then the car crashes and electric chairs. The technique was silk-screen printing: photographic images transferred to canvas through a mesh screen and printed in flat, commercial colours. The process removed the artist's hand almost entirely, which was the point. Warhol made art that looked like it had been manufactured, in a culture that manufactured everything.
The Factory, his silver-foiled studio on East 47th Street, became the centre of a scene that included musicians, actors, drag queens, socialites, and addicts, sometimes all at once. He made films. He started Interview magazine. He managed the Velvet Underground. He was shot by Valerie Solanas in 1968 and nearly died; he wore a surgical corset for the rest of his life.
His late work, often dismissed, includes the Oxidation Paintings (made with urine on metallic paint), the Shadow series, and the Last Supper paintings. He died in 1987 after gallbladder surgery, at fifty-eight. His estate was valued at around 600 million dollars.
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
You May Also Like