REPRODUCTION COPY AFTER THE ORIGINAL SUITE CREATED IN 1983 BY ANDY WARHOL. AN EDITION OF THE ORIGINAL PRINT SERIES IS PART OF THE NANCY A NASHER AND DAVID J. HAEMISEGGER COLLECTION. THIS REPRODUCTION ALLOWS VISITORS TO APPRECIATE THE ARTWORK WHILE PRESERVING THE ORIGINAL.
Andy Warhol's Endangered Species series, created in 1983, is a striking collection of ten screen prints depicting animals that were classified as endangered at the time. The subjects include the African elephant, Siberian tiger, giant panda, and bald eagle, among others. Warhol rendered each animal in his signature style, using bold colors, vivid outlines, and repeated visual motifs to elevate the animals to celebrity status—akin to the portraits he made of Marilyn Monroe or Elvis Presley. Commissioned by environmental activists Ronald and Frayda Feldman, the series aimed to raise awareness about the urgent threat of extinction facing these species.
Artistically, Warhol’s use of commercial aesthetics to address ecological issues represents a powerful fusion of pop culture and activism. By presenting endangered animals in the same stylized, mass-media-inspired way he portrayed pop icons, Warhol critiques consumer culture while simultaneously drawing attention to the commodification—and vulnerability—of the natural world. The contrast between the vibrant palette and the grim reality these animals face creates a tension that invites reflection on humanity’s impact on the environment.
The series remains profoundly relevant today, as many of the animals depicted continue to face threats from habitat loss, climate change, and poaching. The global biodiversity crisis has only intensified, making the series a prescient reminder of the ongoing need for conservation.
