Warhol's Trump Tower portrait heads to auction after being snubbed by Trump
On November 19, 2024, Phillips New York will auction Andy Warhol's 'Skyscrapers,' a 1981 portrait of Trump Tower, estimated at $500,000–$700,000. The work was never purchased by Donald Trump despite Warhol creating it after the magnate visited the Factory. Warhol produced eight paintings in black, silver, and gold with diamond dust, but Trump disliked them, having already commissioned Angelo Donghia to decorate the lobby in pink and orange. The series was based on architectural models by Der Scutt of Swanke, Hayden, Connell, and Partners. Warhol later attended a Trump Tower cheerleader audition in 1984 but arrived late due to lingering frustration. The work was later exhibited by gallerist Bruno Bischofberger in Zurich in 2001 and now returns to auction as Trump becomes the 47th U.S. president.
Key facts
- Auction on November 19, 2024 at Phillips New York
- Warhol's 'Skyscrapers' depicts Trump Tower
- Estimate: $500,000–$700,000
- Trump never bought the work despite Warhol's interest
- Eight paintings in black, silver, gold with diamond dust
- Based on models by Der Scutt of Swanke, Hayden, Connell, and Partners
- Trump hired Angelo Donghia for lobby decor in pink and orange
- Exhibited by Bruno Bischofberger in Zurich in 2001
Entities
Artists
- Andy Warhol
- Angelo Donghia
- Bruno Bischofberger
Institutions
- Phillips
- Der Scutt of Swanke, Hayden, Connell, and Partners
- Factory
- Trump Tower
- Artribune
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Zurich
- Switzerland
- Fifth Avenue