Mao Zedong

Andy Warhol's iconic portraits of Mao Zedong were inspired by the official state image of the Chinese Communist leader. Using silkscreen printing, Warhol created multiple versions of the portrait, altering only the color scheme. His depiction of Mao transformed a serious, authoritative image of the world leader into a vibrant, playful, and sometimes provocative artwork, with some versions showing Mao with eyeshadow, blush, or lipstick. The idea for the portrait came from Warhol's longtime dealer, Bruno Bischofberger, who recommended Mao as a subject. Warhol, captivated by fame and celebrity culture, had recently learned from Life magazine that Mao was considered the most famous person in the world, making him a fitting subject for Warhol’s art. Mao remains one of Warhol's most sought-after portraits, with the highest auction price reaching $47.5 million at Sotheby’s in 2015.