Andy Warhol, Ingrid Bergman (Trial Proof), 1983

This is a large-format screenprint trial proof by the renowned Pop artist Andy Warhol, featuring a stylized portrait of the legendary actress Ingrid Bergman. The work is executed on a sheet measuring 96 x 96 cm, currently housed in a simple 97 x 97 cm frame. The piece exhibits Warhol's signature Pop Art aesthetic, utilizing vibrant color blocking and bold graphic lines to redefine a cinematic icon. The central image is a profile view of Bergman, rendered with a pale yellow skin tone, pink lips, and expressive green eyes. Overlaid on this photographic base are gestural white line drawings that define the contours of her face, hair, and hand. The background is divided into a geometric grid of saturated colors, including teal, lavender, orange, and a deep black-green in the shadowed regions of the hair. As a trial proof from 1983, this work is unnumbered and possesses unique color variations distinct from the final edition. It was printed by master printer Rupert Jasen Smith in New York and bears his drystamp. Additionally, it features the publisher's stamp of Galerie Börjesson, Malmö. The condition is described as having general light wear consistent with age, with the paper and ink appearing stable and well-saturated. The craftsmanship is indicative of Warhol's mature period, showing sophisticated registration and a complex layering of screen-printed colors that create a sense of both depth and flattened graphic impact.

Based on my examination of this 1983 Ingrid Bergman trial proof, I find the work to be a high-quality example of Warhol’s late-period screenprinting. The piece shows hallmarks of Rupert Jasen Smith’s master printing, specifically the crisp registration and the presence of his drystamp. Trial proofs are particularly desirable because they represent the artist’s experimentation with color palettes outside the standard edition, making this piece effectively unique. The 38-inch square format and the iconic nature of the subject matter contribute to its strong market appeal. Recent auction data for the 'Ingrid Bergman' series shows robust demand, with unique proofs often commanding a premium over numbered editions. The condition appears stable, though I noted light wear consistent with the 1980s paper stock. At this value level, a physical inspection is mandatory to check for light-induced fading (especially in the teal and lavender pigments), potential foxing, or hidden hinging damage behind the frame. While the stamps from Galerie Börjesson and Smith align with known authentic examples, full authentication would require a deep provenance audit and verification against the Feldman/Schellmann Catalogue Raisonné. Scientific testing of ink composition and paper UV fluorescence would further confirm its 1983 origin. For high-value Warhol prints, I also recommend a review by a recognized board of experts to ensure the work's inclusion in the accepted body of Warhol's authentic trial proofs.