One of Andy Warhol's famed depictions of Marlon Brando is coming to auction at Christie's New York.
Taken from the publicity still for 1953 film The Wild One, the Marlon silkscreen ink on linen is one of four 41 by 46 inch works depicting the star.
 One of four similarly-sized Marlon works by Warhol |
The 1966 piece is expected to make up to $20m on November 14, thanks to its famous image and considerable rarity.
It last changed hands with the same auction house for $5m in 2003.
Brett Gorvy, chairman of Christie's post-war and contemporary art department, remarked: "Alongside his iconic portraits of Elvis Presley, Warhol's image of Marlon Brando exudes a raw sexuality and intense power rarely found in his work. In this painting, Warhol has created the archetype of cool and glamour."
The world record for a Warhol portrait of Marlon Brando stands at the $32.5m achieved at Christie's in May 2008, for his larger Double Marlon, also from 1966.
The announcement follows the news that three Edvard Munch-inspired Andy Warhol screenprints will appear at Sotheby's London on September 19.
It has been another landmark year for the Warhol art market. His Double Elvis [Ferus Type] sold for $37m in May, 28.86% pa up on the last sale of a Double Elvis, in 1995, while his silkscreen of Brigitte Bardot has also sold, for £3m.
Meanwhile, a rare Warhol Dollar Sign handkerchief from the early 1980s beat its high estimate by 48.1% in March, selling for £44,450. We have a superb black sweater worn by Warhol currently available.
Warhol's world record artwork is his Green car crash - Green burning car I from 1963, which made $71.7m at Christie's New York in May 2007.
