How does one reinvent the timeless still life of grapes for a contemporary audience? In 1979, Andy Warhol answered this question with his Grapes portfolio, a vibrant and experimental series that redefined the genre through the lens of Pop Art.

Grapes F.S. II 190-195 (Complete Portfolio) comprises six screenprints, each presenting bunches of grapes, intertwined vines, and leaves—stylized representations of different grape varieties. With this body of work, Warhol turned away from the traditional still life’s serene realism and instead embraced abstraction, bold color-blocking, and energetic composition. The result is a striking fusion of representation and imagination that injects movement and modernity into a classical motif.

In each print, Warhol layered photographic realism with expressive, hand-drawn outlines and vibrant, almost electric hues. Deep purples and blues mingle with saturated oranges, reds, and neon tones. These choices render the grapes unfamiliar yet captivating, transforming a conventional subject into a vivid, dynamic expression of form and color.

A notable highlight of the portfolio is the Special Edition series, which features diamond dust—fine crushed glass layered atop the ink to create a shimmering, textured surface. Developed in collaboration with master printer Rupert Jasen Smith, this technique marked a pivotal moment in Warhol’s print practice. It introduced a glittering, tactile dimension that would later appear in his Shoes and Myths portfolios, becoming a hallmark of his late-career prints.

Grapes F.S. II 190-195 (Complete Portfolio) belongs to Warhol’s broader engagement with the still life genre during the 1970s and early 1980s. That same year, he created Space Fruit, another suite exploring everyday objects elevated through Pop sensibilities. However, Grapes emerged from a different point of inspiration: his 1975 collaboration with Château Mouton Rothschild. Commissioned to design a wine label, Warhol’s playful interpretation of grapes and viniculture laid the foundation for this later series. Echoes of the label’s color palette and symbolism can be traced throughout the portfolio, bridging commercial design and fine art.

In the context of Warhol’s larger oeuvre, Grapes underscores his unique ability to revitalize traditional subjects. By reinterpreting the still life through abstraction, layering, and unconventional materials, Warhol invites viewers to reconsider the familiar. His Grapes are not just representations of fruit—they are icons of artistic transformation, testament to a mind constantly pushing the boundaries of what art can be.

The standard Grapes portfolio includes works catalogued as FS II.190–195, while the diamond-dusted Special Edition comprises FS II.190A–195A, further elevating this series into a glittering celebration of form, texture, and modern reinterpretation.

For more information on Andy Warhol's Grapes F.S. II 190-195 (Complete Portfolio) or to buy Grapes F.S. II 190-195 (Complete Portfolio), contact our galleries using the form below.