The Silken World of Michelangelo

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi CBE, RA (1924-2005)

Signed limited edition screenprint from the iconic folio Moonstrips Empire News.

Title of the print is The Silken World of Michelangelo.  Signed and numbered 99/500 in black ink lower right.  EA and Kelpra stamps verso.

Collections: The Tate

Published by Editions Alecto in 1967, Moonstrips Empire News consisted of 100 screenprints of images and text in an edition of 500. Eight of the images were signed and numbered by the artist, of which this is one. The prints were printed by Kelpra Studios on various paper stocks and bear their stamp verso as well as the Editions Alecto stamp.

Paolozzi had been fascinated by American culture as a child, collecting cigarette cards and watching Hollywood icons at the local cinema.  This folio also shows his interest in history of art, technology and science.  Layering-up images from magazines, he juxtaposed his interest in technology, science and history with recurring pop culture themes of celebrity, fast food and advertising. Text was also an important component of his work, reflected in the ‘text only’ sheets with editorial from magazines and newspapers, sometimes rearranged in a creative style.

In this work Mickey Mouse appears next to Michelangelo’s David. A black on gold profile of David looks east to Europe, while Mickey Mouse faces west towards America, and a cartoonish group of Egyptian figures presides over them both

Measurements: 25.5 x 38 cm

Condition: Never framed, it has been stored in its original folio box. In excellent condition.

This work has now been sold