See Intimate Never-Before Seen Photos of Andy Warhol

Andy at the spa!

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol seated at a table at the Pierre Hotel in New York City (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Get a rare glimpse into the everyday life of Pop superstar Andy Warhol at New York’s Maison Gerard gallery’s new exhibition “Two Days in the Life of Andy…,” opening Thursday.

In the spring of 1981, as Warhol prepared for “Myths,” his exhibition that fall at New York’s Ronald Feldman Gallery, he spent two days with Robert Levin, a fine art photographer on assignment for Germany’s Stern magazine. Levin followed Warhol everywhere, from the artist’s work at the Factory, to various adventures across the city, including a bike ride in the East Village.

Robert Levin, <em>Andy Warhol Portrait #1 taken at the Factory</em> (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol Portrait #1 taken at the Factory (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

The exhibition showcases 15 of the black-and-white photographs taken over the course of the two-day session. This is the first time the images, which offer an intimate window into the famed artist’s extraordinary life, have been shown in the US.

The photos, said Maison Gerard managing partner Benoist F. Drut in a statement, “observe a side of Warhol that has never been revealed by any other photographer, which is fascinating for someone who was such a public figure, and constantly being recorded.”

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol undergoing a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol undergoing a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Unexpected moments include a run-in with filmmaker and artist John Waters on Madison Avenue, and snaps from an almost surreal-looking treatment session at the Janet Sartin Spa.

“Warhol had a lifelong obsession with appearance and beauty regimes, he was fanatical about his dermatologist and skin care, so for historians and collectors these images are going to be particularly interesting,” noted exhibition curator and Warhol expert and collector James Hedges in a statement.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol with a bicycle on East 11th Street in the Village in New York City (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol with a bicycle on East 11th Street in the Village in New York City (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol relaxing after receiving a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol relaxing after receiving a facial treatment at the Janet Sartin Spa in New York City (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Only a handful of the photographs, shot on black-and-white Kodak Tri-X film, were ever published by Stern, and the other 11 rolls of film lay forgotten for some 34 years. Now, these images, brought to light in New York will offer an unprecedentedly candid look at the day-to-day activities of one of the world’s most iconic artists.

See more photos from the exhibition here.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol posing at the New York City midtown store where he purchased a bullet proof vest, (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol posing at the New York City midtown store where he purchased a bullet proof vest, (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Robert Levin, Chance meeting between Andy Warhol and John Waters on Madison Avenue, (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Chance meeting between Andy Warhol and John Waters on Madison Avenue, (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol in a storage room at the Factory (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol in a storage room at the Factory (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol standing in front of the installation of the Myths at the Robert Feldman Gallery in New York City (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy Warhol standing in front of the installation of the Myths at the Robert Feldman Gallery in New York City (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

Robert Levin, Andy seated in the conference room at the Factory with totems, VCR Television, and moose head taxidermy mounted on the wall (1981). Photo: courtesy Maison Gerard.

Robert Levin, Andy seated in the conference room at the Factory with totems, VCR Television, and moose head taxidermy mounted on the wall (1981).
Photo: Robert Levin.

“Two Days in the Life of Andy…” will be on view at Maison Gerard gallery, 43 and 53 East 10th Street, New York December 10, 2015–January 7, 2016.

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