In 2013, Andy Warhol‘s iconic painting “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” made headlines when it sold at Sotheby’s for a staggering $104.5 million, marking a pinnacle in the Pop artist’s auction history. However, in an alternate reality portrayed in the new Amazon television series, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” the painting fetches an even higher price of $106 million in a covert operation involving undercover spies.
Setting the Scene
Set against the backdrop of a glitzy New York function, the second episode of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” sees the titular couple, portrayed by Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, tasked with intercepting a wealthy bidder attempting to acquire Warhol’s masterpiece. While such a high-profile artwork wouldn’t typically be sold at a party, the allure of the painting’s controversial “Death and Disaster” series adds a layer of intrigue to the scenario.
Warhol’s Legacy
“Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” is part of Warhol‘s acclaimed “Death and Disaster” series, where the artist appropriated graphic images of accidents and tragedies, rendering them in his signature style of repeated screen prints. Despite their provocative subject matter, these works have become some of Warhol’s most renowned pieces, with many residing in esteemed art institutions.
Anticipation at Auction
The Sotheby’s auction in 2013 generated significant anticipation, with the painting’s rarity and historical significance fueling speculation. After two decades in a European private collection, “Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster)” exceeded its $80 million estimate, setting a record for Warhol’s work at the time.
Infiltrating the Silent Auction
In “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” the plot thickens as the billionaire bidder, portrayed by John Turturro, becomes the target of the Smiths’ covert operation. Without revealing spoilers, the encounter between the spies and the billionaire adds layers of suspense and unexpected twists to the narrative.
Feature Image: Maya Erskine and Donald Glover in Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Courtesy: Amazon Prime
