“This retrospective retraces the entire career of the American artist William N. Copley – started in Los Angeles in the 1940s, developed in Paris and subsequently spanned across Europe and the United States. Expanded considerably compared to the partner show in Houston, at Fondazione Prada “William N. Copley” stands out for its richness and the presence of never-before-seen materials. The exhibition includes over 150 works realized by Copley from 1948 to 1995, from international museums and collections all over the world, and constitutes the largest retrospective ever dedicated to the American painter.
William N. Copley (1919–1996) embodied the figure of the eclectic, self-taught artist, as well as tireless cultural promoter through his work as a journalist, publisher, gallery owner and art collector. Influenced by Surrealism, American folk culture and cartoons, Copley employed humor and intelligence to explore themes that became recurrent in his production, including pornography, patriotism and the unexpected potential of everyday objects. In over five decades of activity, Copley created a corpus of artworks animated with ferocious satire, cunning and an open challenge to conventions.” — Fondazione Prada
William N. Copley. Children of Dynosaurus, 1948, oil on canvas, 76.2 x 101.6 cm. Collection of Halley K. Harrisburg and Michael Rosenfeld, New York
William N. Copley. Mexican Images (Dream of Oaxaca), 1948, oil on canvas, 49.5 x 39.4 cm. Collection of Billy Copley and Claire Copley. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York. Photo Dan Bradica
Installation view of the exhibition “William N. Copley” at Fondazione Prada, Milan. Photo Roberto Marossi
William N. Copley. Unijambiste, 1951–53, oil on canvas, 83 x 130 cm. Andy Jllien Collection, Zurich. Photo Sascha Fuis Photographie, Cologne
William N. Copley. Feel Like A Hundred Bucks, 1986, acrylic, charcoal, and mirror on canvas, 127.3 x 254.3 cm. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
William N. Copley. Portrait of the Artist as a Young Ex‑Patriot, 1951, oil and collage on canvas, 53.3 x 72.4 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
William N. Copley. Baby Rose, 1952, collage, oil and wallpaper on canvas, 72.4 x 59.3 cm. Collection Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
William N. Copley. On the Beach (A La Mer), 1962, oil on canvas, 116.2 x 88.9 cm. Collection of Billy Copley. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
William N. Copley. French Horn and Piano Stool, 1970, acrylic on canvas, 114.3 x 147.3 cm. Collection of Claire Copley and Alan Eisenberg. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
Installation view of the exhibition “William N. Copley” at Fondazione Prada, Milan. Photo Roberto Marossi
William N. Copley. Bicycle, 1970, acrylic on canvas, 80 × 96.5 cm. Collection of Karin Tappendorf. Photo David M. Ward
Installation view of the exhibition “William N. Copley” at Fondazione Prada, Milan. Photo Roberto Marossi
William N. Copley. Boy Meets Girl (Cplyland), 1962, oil on canvas, 88.9 x 116.2 cm. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York. Photo Joshua White
William N. Copley. 1776 and All That, 1976, acrylic on canvas, 164 x 132 cm. Prada Collection. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate, New York
Left: William N. Copley. The Happy Hour, 1978, acrylic on canvas. Right: William N. Copley. Nuit Puerto Ricain, 1978, acrylic, leather on canvas. Photo Roberto Marossi
William N. Copley. The Happy Hour, 1978, acrylic on canvas, 167.7 x 140 cm. Museum Frieder Burda, Baden-Baden
William N. Copley. I Give Aid and Comfort, 1986, acrylic on canvas, 211 x 305 cm. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York
William N. Copley. Untitled (Apples and Oranges), 1986, acrylic and lace on canvas, 195.6 x 152.4 cm. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate and Paul Kasmin Gallery, New York. Photo Christopher Burke
William N. Copley. Trust Lust, 1988, acrylic and marker on canvas, 96.5 x 129. 5 cm. Private Collection. Courtesy Paul Kasmin Gallery and VENUS, New York
George Skibine and William N.Copley with Smile (You are on camera) (1963) painting by Copley, 1964. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate, New York
William N. Copley, 1930s. Courtesy William N. Copley Estate, New York
Exhibition organized in collaboration with the Menil Collection, Houston. The Italian counterpart of this retrospective is curated by Germano Celant.
Images courtesy Fondazione Prada.