Marx Brothers, from 10 Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century, 1980

Andy Warhol’s The Marx Brothers, created as part of his broader exploration of celebrity and entertainment icons, captures the legendary comedy trio through the lens of Pop Art. Warhol distills their unmistakable personas—Groucho, Chico, and Harpo—into a vivid interplay of color, contour, and photographic imagery, emphasizing the exaggerated expressions and comic energy that made them cultural legends. By framing them in his signature style, Warhol elevates the Marx Brothers from vaudeville and early Hollywood fame into timeless Pop icons, highlighting their enduring influence on humor, performance, and American entertainment. The work reflects Warhol’s fascination with how mass media transforms performers into symbols, preserving their personas long after their era has passed.

This example is an exceptionally rare Trial Proof, one of only 25, making it a unique variant distinct from the regular edition. Trial Proofs often exhibit adjustments in color, composition, or layering, giving collectors insight into Warhol’s creative process and providing a one-of-a-kind iteration of the image. Screenprinted on Lenox Museum Board and uniquely designated as a proof, this work stands apart both artistically and historically. Its rarity, combined with the iconic subject matter and Warhol’s unmistakable visual vocabulary, makes this Marx Brothers Trial Proof a highly desirable and significant work within the artist’s print oeuvre.