This drawing is related to the Endangered Species series commissioned by Ronald and Freyda Feldman that resulted in 10 brightly colored silkscreen prints of animals threatened by environmental causes or trophy hunting. A perhaps less well-known side of Warhol was his concerns about the environment. The idea for the Endangered Species portfolio was in fact born after conversations the Feldmans had with Warhol about ecological issues, including beach erosion. Warhol owned beachfront property on Long Island, and his15-acre beach is now The Andy Warhol Preserve, a gift to The Nature Conservancy from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. While Warhol is best known for his Pop art and films, his interest in nature was life-long. As a child he drew animals in science class at Holmes School, kept a flower garden in the family’s yard, and drew in Schenley Park and Phipps Conservatory. In college, he went to the zoo in Highland Park to draw. Later in his life Warhol created his Cow and Fish Wallpaper, the film Sunset, and hundreds of paintings, prints, and drawings of flowers.
