Andy Warhol and drawings (1949-1961)
A love affair

When people think of Andy Warhol (1928–1987), they often picture his iconic Campbell’s soup cans and colourful portraits of Marilyn Monroe. But before becoming one of the leading figures of the Pop Art movement, Warhol developed a remarkably versatile body of work as a draughtsman.  

In a surprising thematic exhibition, the KMSKA explores how paper and ink became Warhol’s primary artistic media in the 1950s. He produced thousands of drawings, both for a wider audience and for himself and those closest to him. 

As a commercial illustrator, he worked for leading fashion magazines such as Glamour, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. At the same time, his personal drawings captured a very different world: portraits of friends, cats, flowers and still lifes, as well as nudes and scenes from New York’s subculture. 

In spring 2027, the KMSKA will present this lesser-known yet particularly significant period in Warhol’s career in its print rooms, tracing his development from his first commissions in 1949 to his artistic breakthrough in 1961. Alongside a selection of original drawings, visitors will discover examples of his commercial work, including illustrations for fashion magazines, book cover designs and record sleeves. Together, these works reveal how Warhol’s passion for drawing, experimental visual language and fascination with everyday life laid the foundations for the iconic work that would make him world-famous.