Jon Gould 1980 - 1985

Editor: So, this is Andy Warhol’s portrait of Jon Gould, a gelatin-silver print dating from around 1980 to 1985. It’s striking in its simplicity, almost feels…vulnerable? What are your initial thoughts on this work? Curator: Vulnerable, yes, I think that nails it. I feel like Warhol is trying to capture something beyond the surface, stepping away from the more manufactured persona he often projected. Do you notice how the rough texture of the wooden fence contrasts with the softness of Jon's expression? It's as though Warhol is playing with layers, hiding and revealing simultaneously. Editor: Absolutely! The fence definitely adds a sense of raw honesty to it, right? It’s so different from the highly stylized portraits he’s famous for. Did this rawness reflect anything particular about their relationship or the cultural moment? Curator: That's a keen question! Jon Gould was an executive at Paramount Pictures and someone with whom Warhol had a complex, deeply felt relationship. The intimacy of this portrait suggests a certain trust, a quiet understanding. I think in the context of the AIDS crisis unfolding, portraying vulnerability carried a different kind of weight, a powerful quietude amidst a world of chaos. It whispers of what was cherished, fragile. Editor: That adds a whole new layer. It’s no longer just a portrait, but a kind of tender document. I’m seeing it completely differently now. Curator: And isn't that the magic? To let a work reshape your perspective, nudging your own boundaries just a bit? That’s what Jon taught Andy and perhaps vice versa.