Andy Warhol was a force to reckon with in the art world. His ingenuity as an artist and photographer made him a renowned figure in the 20th century. even today, his influence on photography is immense, with many new generations of photographers looking to him for inspiration. While Warhol had worked with many famous faces of his time, such as Marilyn Monroe, Debbie Harry, Mick Jagger, and more, there was a part of him that many fans never got to see: his portraits for his partner, Jon Gould. That was the case until now when Hedges Projects, an art collection, dealing, and production arm for collector Jim Hedges, acquired Andy Warhol’s massive archive.
All the images are courtesy of the Hedges Projects. Used with permission.
According to the Hedges Projects, the archive, The Jon Gould Collection of Andy Warhol Photographs, examines Warhol’s intimate life. The photographs, which were shot during Warhol’s relationship with Gould, are now being made public for the first time after Gould’s passing in 1986.
For the uninitiated, Jon Gould, an American studio executive, was Warhol’s last love interest and his muse. During their courtship, Warhol gifted his partner hundreds of silver gelatin prints. However, what is remarkable is that his photographs depict a side of him that was a secret back in the day. Gould worked for Paramount Pictures, and his beauty, masculinity, and elite background were some of the things that attracted Warhol to him. In 1980, the two connected right after Andy Warhol parted ways with Jed Johnson, which resulted in a passionate love story that left an indelible mark on Warhol’s career.
I love going out with Jon because it’s like being on a real date- he’s tall and strong and I feel that he can take care of me. And it’s exciting because he acts straight so I’m sure people think he is.
Andy Warhol
will be made available for the first time following its passage through Gould’s family after his death in 1986.
“From 1980 to 1985, Andy Warhol was obsessed with Jon Gould more so than anyone in his life, and Jon Gould was unquestionably the most photographed subject by Andy Warhol; nobody even comes close. There is something incredibly passionate going on here,” said Jim Hedges to Another Mag. “This extraordinary chapter of Warhol’s life is finally being brought to light.”
The photographs were shot when Andy Warhol was using a 35mm camera. This device helped him not just document Gould but also celebrities, his emotional struggles, and mundane things that caught his attention. The Jon Gould Collection showcases images of him, Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger, and Robert Rauschenberg. Only a few images of him can be seen in The Andy Warhol Diaries and the Andy Warhol Photography Archive at Stanford University’s Cantor Arts Center, which showcases his personal life. The collection will be exhibited in the United States and Europe next year and will be made available for purchase.
This significant body of work gives viewers a deep insight into Warhol’s life and process. The images are candid and carefree, offering a warming sense of liberation. Considering the circumstances in which they were captured, the photographs become even more important layers in the artist’s life. The images can inspire many to photograph their loved ones with the same keen eye and unhurried way as Andy Warhol did. In doing so, they may epitomize their affection, something that we don’t see as much today.