Irving Blum

1970–1971

The retrospective from Pasadena to the Whitney

In 1970 the Pasadena Art Museum organised a Warhol retrospective that travelled on to Chicago, Eindhoven, Paris, London and, in 1971, the Whitney Museum in New York. At the Whitney the Cow wallpaper (1966) served as the backdrop for the paintings.

1971

Creates the “Sticky Fingers” cover

Warhol came up with the concept and took the photograph for the cover of the Rolling Stones' album Sticky Fingers (1971), a close-up of jeans with a real zipper. He received a Grammy nomination for Best Album Cover in 1972.

c. 1971 – 1974

More and more often in Paris

Warhol began travelling to Europe more often and grew especially fond of Paris after filming L'Amour (1972); he kept an apartment on the Left Bank, on Rue du Cherche-Midi, shared with Fred Hughes. In Paris his circle socialised with Karl Lagerfeld, Yves Saint Laurent, Loulou de la Falaise and Paloma Picasso.

1972–1973

Creates the “Mao” series

Warhol made the Mao series in 1972–73; in November 1972 its silkscreens debuted at the Leo Castelli Gallery in New York.

1973

Diagnosis: a gallstone

In 1973 Warhol was diagnosed with a gallstone but adamantly refused surgery because he feared hospitals. His physician Denton Cox tried to obtain an experimental medication from Japan, while a chiropractor and a nutritionist suggested he wear a small crystal.