Hans Christian Andersen FS.II 400 by Andy Warhol is a screenprint from the artist’s 1987 Hans Christian Andersen portfolio, created as a tribute to the famed Danish author. Drawing inspiration from Andersen’s intricate paper cut-outs and timeless fairy tale characters, Warhol reinterprets these elements through his signature Pop Art lens. In this particular piece, Warhol uses soft tones of white and pink to depict one of Andersen’s figures, which stands out boldly against a deep, dark background. The contrast enhances the character’s presence and highlights Warhol’s mastery of color and composition.

Hans Christian Andersen rose to international prominence for his fairy tales, which have captivated readers of all ages for generations. Warhol, known for elevating cultural icons into the realm of contemporary art, was drawn to Andersen not only for his literary achievements but for the visual charm of his handcrafted paper cut-outs. This interest led Warhol to develop a portfolio celebrating Andersen’s imaginative world.

The Hans Christian Andersen suite includes four screenprints, three of which feature stylized interpretations of characters from Andersen’s stories rendered in a cut-out style. The fourth is a portrait of Andersen himself. Completed in 1987, the series was printed by Rupert Jasen Smith in New York and published by Art Expo Danmark in Odense, Denmark. Each print from the suite, including Hans Christian Andersen 400 FS. II, was posthumously stamped in black on the verso and is catalogued in the Andy Warhol Catalogue Raisonné as FS II.349–351.

Warhol’s decision to center a portfolio around Hans Christian Andersen speaks to his broader interest in storytelling, symbolism, and the cultural resonance of icons beyond the world of celebrity and consumerism. Through his unique use of color, simplified form, and powerful contrast, Warhol transforms Andersen’s literary legacy into a striking visual narrative that bridges the historical with the contemporary.

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