American Pop Culture Myths: Warhol’s Howdy Doody at Dane Fine Art

Pop artist Andy Warhol had a deep-running admiration for the American West, popular culture, and 20th-century mythmaking. As his own fame increased, the artist counted himself among that rarified group of myths, heroes, and legends. His later career was dominated by an effort to turn the mirror on American society and examine some of those cultural icons. In Warhol’s view, “Everybody has their own America, and then they have pieces of a fantasy America that they think is out there but they can’t see. You live in your dream America that you’ve custom-made from art and schmaltz and emotions just as much as you live in your real one.”

Warhol’s Myths series from 1981 explored the mystique of American pop culture with particular elegance. The artist recruited friends to pose as Santa Claus, Superman, Uncle Sam, Howdy Doody, and the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz (Warhol himself posed as comic strip hero The Shadow). Warhol developed silkscreens based on these poses, using diamond dust to embellish some of them.

A coveted original Howdy Doody silkscreen from Warhol’s Myths series will soon come to auction with Dane Fine Art on June 29, 2023. It comes from a limited edition of 200 and was published by Ronald Feldman Arts Inc. New York in 1981. The renowned gallerist published some of Andy Warhol’s first silkscreens, and the artist remained a frequent visitor to Feldman’s gallery over the years. The available Howdy Doody silkscreen comes to auction with an estimate of USD 117,000 to $162,000.

Many of the images in the Myths suite recall Warhol’s childhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After being diagnosed with Sydenham’s chorea as a child, Warhol spent many hours and days bedbound, enticed by radio shows, comic books, and television. The Howdy Doody children’s television program aired during this time in Warhol’s life. Starring radio announcer Buffalo Bob Smith and a cowboy-styled puppet, Howdy Doody was among the first television shows to engage the audience through a peanut gallery and use color. It also prompted the development of merchandise at stores such as Macy’s. This commercial aspect further embedded the show in both American culture and Warhol’s memory.

 The American West also played a significant role in Warhol’s art. He had a long-running fascination with cowboys, Native Americans, and their representation on the silver screen. Howdy Doody and the Myths series were deeply connected to this interest.

Those looking for more of Andy Warhol’s work can consider over two dozen other lots in this auction, including a 1968 silkscreen of Campbell’s Tomato Soup (lot #812; estimate: $3,000 – $5,000). The classic design is here executed in eggplant purple, pumpkin orange, and teal blue. Various drawings and sketches are also available, including from Love Is a Pink Cake and The Philosophy of Andy Warhol. 

The Freedom Sale of Modern & Contemporary Art at Dane Fine Art will also offer works from Robert Longo, Julian Opie, Louis Icart, KAWS, and Mr. Brainwash. Bidding will begin at 12:00 PM EDT on June 29, 2023. Those interested in placing an online bid may visit Bidsquare. Find further coverage of this sale on Auction Daily.