signed by the artist and numbered 251/300 lower left, signed by Wayne Gretzky and inscribed "99" lower right. Printed by Rupert Jasen Smith, New York; published by Frans Wynans, Vancouver
40 × 32 in (101.6 × 81.3 cm) (image)
Revolver Gallery, West Hollywood
Private Collection, Vancouver
Frayda Feldman and Jörg Schellmann, Andy Warhol Prints: A Catalogue Raisonné 1962-1987, 4th edition, Milan, 2003, reproduced page 133, catalogue no. II.306
Pat Hackett, ed., The Andy Warhol Diaries, New York, 2014, page 515
"When Andy Warhol and Wayne Gretzky Teamed Up for a Portrait", CBC Archives [online publication], 12 December 2019, accessed 10 October 2026
Andy Warhol and Wayne Gretzky were introduced by Vancouver dealer Frans Wynans, with Gretzky having been a long-time admirer of the artist prior to their meeting. This collaboration followed Warhol's 1977 Athletes portfolio, which featured ten portraits of iconic sports stars including Muhammad Ali, O.J. Simpson, Jack Nicklaus, and Pelé.
While the original paintings created from the sitting sold for $35,000 and the screenprints initially sold for $2,000, Gretzky retained one portrait for himself, noting the distinct appeal of the "Oiler colours" with its blue, orange, and white tones. Warhol's diary from June 9, 1983, captured their studio appointment, recording his initial frustration at delays before noting that Gretzky finally arrived as an "adorable, blond twenty-two and cute" figure who spoke of upcoming television appearances on The Fall Guy and with Tom Selleck.
In this vibrant screenprint, Warhol hones in on "The Great One’s" boyish blond hair and intense gaze, accentuating the features with energetic neon tones set against a large white square that pops against a deep blue background. A striking neon pink square frames Gretzky's legendary number ninety-nine, while expressive, graphic coloured outlines draw the eye directly to his hockey stick. The composition captures subtle details such as the faint lettering of the Titan logo—the iconic brand synonymous with Gretzky’s stellar career—solidifying the portrait as a quintessential tribute to a Canadian sporting icon.
