Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition) FS II.167 is the third screenprint in Andy Warhol’s seven-part *Special Edition* portfolio, created to document the layered construction of his iconic 1977 work *Hammer and Sickle*, FS II.164. This print reveals the third stage in the printing sequence—the vivid red color that begins to bring life and visual weight to the forms of the hammer and sickle.

Warhol conceived this series following a 1976 visit to Italy, where he encountered the hammer and sickle symbol prominently displayed in street graffiti. While the emblem carried heavy political connotations, Warhol approached it through the lens of Pop Art—not as a representation of ideology, but as a repeated and recognizable image with cultural and visual impact. He was fascinated by the symbol’s omnipresence and the way its meaning shifted across contexts, questioning whether it could exist in the realm of pop culture alongside his soup cans and celebrity portraits.

To ground the series in physical realism, Warhol turned to his studio assistant Ronnie Cutrone, who photographed actual tools after struggling to find suitable reference material in books and propaganda. These photographs became the basis for Warhol’s layered screenprints, each isolating a step in the artistic process.

FS II.167 features bold, saturated red shapes that define the core forms of the hammer and sickle. This red layer—so closely associated with the color of the Soviet flag—adds a striking sense of immediacy and symbolism, yet remains abstract enough to maintain Warhol’s intended ambiguity. The print exists in a space between propaganda and Pop, teasing viewers with familiarity while resisting ideological clarity.

Created in 1977 on Strathmore Bristol paper, this screenprint is hand-signed by Andy Warhol in pencil at the lower center and numbered from a rare edition of just 10. As part of the *Special Edition* portfolio, FS II.167 serves not only as a window into Warhol’s meticulous screenprinting process but also as a compelling commentary on how symbols evolve through repetition, abstraction, and reinterpretation.

For more information on Warhol’s Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), FS II.167 or to buy Hammer and Sickle (Special Edition), FS II.167, contact our galleries using the form below.